Pakistan became the last team to reveal its squad for the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy, which would be hosted primarily in Pakistan with a few matches set to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The squad announcement brought unexpected inclusions, sparking discussions among cricket analysts and fans alike.
Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, had been entrusted with leading the Green Shirts in the eight-match tournament.
Rizwan aimed to capitalise on Pakistan’s recent ODI series victories against Australia by 2-1, Zimbabwe by 2-1, and South Africa by 3-0, using the momentum to strengthen the team’s campaign in the competition.
The Champions Trophy held additional significance for Pakistan as the team not only prepared to host the event but also sought to defend the title it secured in 2017.
Rizwan, known for his leadership and consistency with the bat, shouldered the responsibility of guiding the squad in its quest for another triumph on home soil.
Meanwhile, a statistical comparison between Rizwan and South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, in the ODI format highlighted their respective performances.
Bavuma, a middle-order batter for South Africa, had played 44 matches and scored 1,631 runs in 43 innings.
He had faced 1,839 deliveries and registered a highest score of 144. With an average of 42.92 and a strike rate of 88.68, Bavuma had scored five centuries and four half-centuries.
His tally included 161 fours and 25 sixes. On the bowling front, he had bowled in one innings, conceding 22 runs without taking a wicket, maintaining an economy rate of 3.56.
Defensively, he had taken 28 catches but had no recorded stumpings.
Rizwan, Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter, had featured in 83 ODI matches and batted in 74 innings, amassing 2,352 runs.
He had faced 2,652 balls and remained not out on 17 occasions. His highest score stood at 131, with a batting average of 41.26 and a strike rate of 88.68. Rizwan had scored three centuries and fifteen half-centuries, hitting 200 fours and 29 sixes.
Unlike Bavuma, he had no bowling record in ODIs. In the field, Rizwan had proven his skill as a wicketkeeper, taking 93 catches and executing three stumpings.
