NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s wicket-keeper/batter Mohammad Rizwan on Wednesday dedicated his team’s epic World Cup victory against Sri Lanka to “our brothers and sisters in Gaza”, potentially putting him at odds with support for Israel expressed by the government of host nation India.

“This was for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Happy to contribute in the win,” Rizwan, 31, said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Credits to the whole team and especially Abdullah Shafique and Hasan Ali for making it easier,” added the batsman, who has 1.6 million followers on the social media platform.

His post had garnered 5.7 million views by Wednesday.

Rizwan scored 131 not out and in the company of opener Abdullah Shafique (113) set the platform for Pakistan’s record winning chase of a daunting 345-run target to defeat Sri Lanka in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

India’s government has joined ranks with Western nations to condemn the attacks launched by Gaza militants, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the country stands “in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour”.

However, Rizwan drew criticism for his views.

“Shouldn’t @iMRizwanPak have dedicated his match winning innings to ALL non-combatants who have died in Gaza AND Israel? Humanity first and above else,” wrote Indian author and columnist Rajdeep Sardesai.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has previously ruled against players making political statements although away from the field of play, they are free to use their own media platforms.

In 2014, the global governing body banned England all-rounder Moeen Ali from wearing wristbands saying “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine”.

And in 2019, Indian cricketer M.S. Dhoni was ordered by the ICC to remove gloves with a controversial dagger logo in a World Cup game against Australia.

Pakistan will take on arch-rivals India in their next game in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

Commenting on his scintillating unbeaten century on Tuesday, Rizwan who played through the pain said throwing his wicket away due to cramp would have made their daunting task even tougher for the lower order.

Batting on 83, the 31-year-old collapsed to the ground due to cramp after smashing a six but soldiered on for the rest of the innings to ensure Saud Shakeel (31) and Iftikhar Ahmed (22 not out) did not have to too much heavy lifting to do.

“I’ll give credit to our physio. He gave me some magic, I don’t know what you call it, the cramp fix, it’s a medicine,” Rizwan told reporters. “At the moment I’m fine, but sometimes the pain or cramp comes, sometimes it doesn’t.

“During my batting I didn’t want to give it away, because you know the bowling of Sri Lanka, they have decent bowlers. If I give them a wicket at that moment, it’s difficult for the new batsman.”

Skipper Babar Azam’s early departure left Pakistan in trouble at 37-2 in 7.2 overs and Rizwan said the key to the chase was pacing the innings with Abdullah.

“In big chases we’ve had contributions from Babar, everyone knows how big a player he is. Unfortunately, he got out and when he did we had a plan that till 20 overs we’ll bat normally,” Rizwan said.

“It’s this communication and calculation. The way Abdullah built the innings in the beginning, the kind of shots he hit made it easy for us to chase the score.”

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2023