Dublin, Ireland

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Mohammad Rizwan and Virat Kohli have shared an enjoyable space in brief outings in international cricket, and Pakistan star keeper-batter admits learning a lot from Kohli, adding he respects him a lot. Following Pakistan’s thumping win over Ireland in the second T20I in Dublin on Sunday (May 12), Rizwan admired the India legend.

Rizwan won the Player of the Match award for helping Pakistan level the three-match series with his match-winning 75*. That unbeaten knock helped him get into the 50s average bracket in the T20Is – a rare feat. With Kohli being the only international cricketer to average above Rizwan, the presenter asked the Pakistan batter for his remarks on the same, to which he said, "We have learnt a lot of things from Virat Kohli; I respect him."

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During their first time playing against each other in a 2021 T20 World Cup tie in Dubai, both Kohli and Rizwan completed their respective fifties, but Rizwan’s came for a winning cause. After the game that Pakistan won by 10 wickets, breaking the World Cup jinx against India, Virat and Rizwan shared a light moment by hugging each other. 

Although they faced each other several times after that, the camaraderie has remained the same.  

ALSO READ: Babar Azam bags massive record in Pakistan’s series-levelling win against Ireland in 2nd T20I

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Meanwhile, India and Pakistan are set for a marquee face-off in the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York on June 9. The Asian giants are placed in Group A alongside Ireland, Canada and the tournament’s co-host USA.

Pakistan return to winnings ways

After losing the first T20I to Ireland in Dublin, Pakistan returned to winning ways by claiming a seven-wicket victory the other night.

Pakistan bowled first, restricting the hosts to 193 for seven in 20 overs. Ace seamer Shaheen Afridi impressed everyone with his three wickets, and Abbas Afridi picked two, while Mohammad Amir and Naseem Shah bagged a wicket each. 

Skipper and opener Babar Azam might have registered a zero in the second game, but he surpassed several legends to become the captain with the most wins in men’s T20Is. 

Besides, Fakhar Zaman and Rizwan shared a 140-run stand for the third wicket before keeper-batter Azam Khan played a blinder to see his team home. While Fakhar got out on 78 off 40 balls, Rizwan remained unbeaten on 75, and Khan, coming in at five, bashed Irish bowlers for 30* off ten balls, including four sixes.

The third and final T20I will take place at the same venue on Tuesday (May 14).