NEWS
Follow UsAlmost exactly a month ago, Pakistan cricket was believed to have hit rock bottom after becoming the first team to suffer an innings defeat after posting over 550 runs on the board. That defeat against England in Multan made it 11 winless Tests at home, and there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel.
Fast-forward a month, Pakistan have not only ended up on the winning side of the aforementioned series but have just achieved something they did not do in the previous 22 years, which was win a bilateral ODI series in Australia.
A week ago, Australia had not lost an ODI at home for two years and an ODI series in their own backyard since January 2019. But Pakistan came, they saw, and they conquered.
A delighted Mohammad Rizwan described the triumph as a ‘special moment’ for the entire nation.
“Special moment for me, the nation will be very happy today, we didn't perform as per expectations in the last couple of years,” Rizwan said after the series win.
It’s remarkable when you consider that this is Rizwan’s first series as captain. This series is the first thing he’s put his hands on and it’s instantly somehow turned into gold.
With the win, the 32-year-old has joined Waqar Younis as the only other Pakistan captain to win a bilateral ODI series Down Under.
But in the aftermath of the series win, Rizwan was reluctant to take credit and instead credited the entire team, claiming that, despite being captain, he pretty much took the input of every individual in the side.
“I'm the captain only for the toss and presentations - everyone gives me suggestions on the field, the batting group and the bowling group,” Rizwan said.
After nearly defending 203 in the first ODI, the Pakistan bowlers ran riot in the last two games, bowling out Australia under 200 twice. The clinical bowling performance was then complemented by the performance of the openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, who put together 137 & 84, respectively, to help the visitors seal the series.
Rizwan was full of praise for both the bowlers and the opening batters.
“All the credit to the bowlers. Australia in Australia isn't easy; the conditions suit their style of playing, but the bowlers were outstanding. Also, credit to the two openers, too; they made the chases easy,” the Pakistan skipper said.
Haris Rauf, Player of the Series for running through the Australian batters with 10 wickets, echoed Rizwan’s thoughts.
“First of all, thanks to almighty Allah, it means a lot, we've been struggling in the last couple of months, this series was very important to both Pakistan and the team,” he said.
The two teams will now clash in a three-match T20I series starting November 14 (Thursday) at the Gabba, Brisbane.
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