On 9 November 2022, the Men in Green took on New Zealand in Sydney in the first semi-final of the ongoing 20-20 World Cup. Pakistan had a disastrous start to the tournament as they lost both to India and Zimbabwe. But, they managed to qualify for the semi-finals as Pakistan won their remaining three matches.
Fans were worried after seeing their initial form in the World Cup. They even criticized the team for their performances. However, the form of both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan with the bat was the main worrying sign. In recent years, both these players have been the pillars of Pakistan’s batting lineup. But, in the World Cup, they failed to score big in the first five matches.
Both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan scored the fifties against the Kiwis in the semi-final
In the ongoing World Cup, in the first five matches, Babar Azam scored 39 runs. Along with him, Mohammad Rizwan scored 103 runs in the first five matches. So, fans were hoping to see them score some runs in the semi-final against the Kiwis. But, several players slammed them for their decision to continue as the opener. Mohammad Amir said that both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan only have a top ranking because they play against B, and C teams also. He took the names of Jos Buttler and Quinton de Kock. Referencing them, Amir said that those players do not play against B, and C teams.
But, against the Kiwis, both Babar and Rizwan did not disappoint their fans. Both managed to hit the fifties as they gave Pakistan a solid start while chasing 153 runs in 20 overs. Babar Azam scored 53 runs off 42 balls, including seven fours. He batted at a strike rate of 126.19. Rizwan also smashed a fifty off 36 balls, including five fours. So, they gave a beneficial reply to their critics by batting at a high strike rate in the semi-final. Fans also went crazy after seeing such batting performances from both of these players.
Here is how fans have reacted to the batting display of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan against the Kiwis:
Babar and Rizwan!! Now this is called a performance 😍😍😍
— Zainab (@zzz_spammm) November 9, 2022
On every hit from Babar and Rizwan i feel a slap on hater's faces and that makes me so comfortable ♥️
— Sohaib Rashid - SR (@SohaibRashid_SR) November 9, 2022
Bow down your eyes, raise your hands up high: all hail the return of KING Babar Azam and KING RIZWAN!#BabarAzam𓃵 #SemiFinals #PakvsNz #WorldCup2022 #Rizwan pic.twitter.com/hcKNwhu4t9
— Official_ali🦋 (@Alisays424) November 9, 2022
Babar and Rizwan almost turning that bowling attack into nothing 🤯
— Thandeka Buhlebethu Sindane (@Buhlebethu_) November 9, 2022
i really love and respect rizwan for helping king babar get comfortable at the crease ✨🤝🏻
— cancer (@fuckoffSaad) November 9, 2022
This is so unlike Babar and Rizwan!!
— $ARTHAK (@Sarthak13011) November 9, 2022
87-0 in 10overs#NZvPAK #T20WorldCup
babar and rizwan are slapping the haters and just so rightly
— .. (@meserablemyra) November 9, 2022
It's Babar and Rizwan's day
— maryam (@maryammajeed395) November 9, 2022
Akhir Rizwan and Babar bi form mein Agaye... Tera khoon kab khoulega re #RohitSharma𓃵 ..#PAKvsNZ#PAKvNZ
— Rules Ramanujam (@No_AmNottttt) November 9, 2022