ODI Milestones
Right-arm fast bowler Haris Rauf and Pakistan’s skipper Mohammad Rizwan achieved significant milestones during the second One-Day International (ODI) of the three-match series against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.
Haris Rauf, known for his explosive pace and wicket-taking abilities, claimed a five-wicket haul (fifer) against Australia, marking a new high in his already impressive career.
This performance brought his total wicket count to 77 in just 39 ODIs, making him the Pakistani bowler with the most wickets in the first 39 matches of an ODI career.
With this achievement, Rauf surpassed notable names in Pakistani cricket history, including pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, both of whom had taken 76 wickets in their first 39 ODIs.
This feat highlights Rauf’s remarkable rise in international cricket since his ODI debut on October 30, 2020. His tally of 77 wickets is now the highest by a fast bowler from any full-member team during this span.
In the broader ODI context, the only pacer with more wickets than Rauf since his debut is Bilal Khan of Oman, an associate member team, who has claimed 83 wickets.
Furthermore, Rauf’s achievement puts him just behind Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who managed to take 79 wickets in his first 39 ODIs. Rauf’s record places him among the fastest bowlers to reach such an impressive number of wickets, showcasing his consistency and impact on the field.
On the other hand, Mohammad Rizwan, the Pakistani captain and wicketkeeper, also achieved a notable milestone in the same match.
Rizwan joined the elite group of wicketkeeper-batsmen who have taken six catches behind the stumps in a single ODI.
This rare feat puts him in the company of some of the most distinguished wicketkeepers in international cricket, including Australia’s Adam Gilchrist, South Africa’s Mark Boucher and Quinton de Kock, England’s Alec Stewart and Matt Prior, Scotland’s Matthew Cross, and fellow Pakistani wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Despite his excellent performance behind the stumps, Rizwan missed an opportunity to break the record when he dropped a catch off Adam Zampa from Naseem Shah’s delivery in the 34th over.
Had he completed that catch, he would have been the first wicketkeeper to grab seven catches in an ODI, setting a new benchmark for wicketkeepers worldwide.
At 32 years old, Rizwan continues to excel in his dual role as a batsman and wicketkeeper, and his ability to perform under pressure is a testament to his skill and leadership on the field.
His contribution with the gloves, alongside Rauf’s brilliance with the ball, underscores the depth of talent within the Pakistani cricket team and their ability to perform at the highest level in international cricket.
Both Rauf and Rizwan’s achievements in the Adelaide ODI highlight their growing influence in the world of cricket and their importance to the Pakistan team as they continue to chase victories on the global stage.
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