NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan demonstrated a thrilling display behind the stumps on Friday, subsequently etching his name in the record books.
During Pakistan’s dominant victory over Australia in the second ODI in Adelaide, Rizwan made the world record for the most catches in a single ODI innings.
In the match, the newly-made white-ball captain of the Pakistan cricket team claimed six catches, joining an elite list of wicket-keepers who have achieved this remarkable feat.
Pakistan’s bowling attack, led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, dismantled Australia’s batting lineup, skittling them for just 163 runs in 35 overs.
Afridi’s pace rattled the Aussies early, claiming the key wickets of Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk.
Rauf followed suit, using precision to remove Australian mainstays like Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, and Aaron Hardie, each time sending edges flying to Rizwan, who didn’t miss a beat.
Rizwan’s exceptional focus and swift reflexes allowed him to take six clean catches, matching the world record set by other legendary wicketkeepers like Adam Gilchrist, Alec Stewart, and Mark Boucher.
Most catches (6) in an innings in ODIs
- Adam Gilchrist (Australia) vs South Africa, 2000
- Alec Stewart (England) vs Zimbabwe, 2000
- Adam Gilchrist (Australia) vs Namibia, 2003
- Adam Gilchrist (Australia) vs Sri Lanka, 2004
- Mark Boucher (South Africa) vs Pakistan, 2007
- Adam Gilchrist (Australia) vs India, 2007
- Matt Prior (England) vs South Africa, 2008
- Jos Buttler (England) vs South Africa, 2013
- Matthew Cross (Scotland) vs Canada, 2014
- Sarfaraz Ahmed (Pakistan) vs South Africa, 2015
- Quinton de Kock (South Africa) vs Afghanistan, 2023
- Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) vs Australia, 2024
Known for his consistency and high energy, Rizwan was pivotal to Pakistan’s fielding strategy, positioning himself perfectly to exploit the seam and swing extracted by his bowlers.
His efforts complemented Pakistan’s disciplined bowling performance, with Afridi, Rauf, and Naseem Shah all keeping Australia’s batters under relentless pressure.
After bowling out Australia, Pakistan’s batters chased down the modest target with ease, reaching 169 for the loss of just one wicket in 26.3 overs.
Following Saim Ayub’s gritty 82 off 71 balls, Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam took Pakistan over the line, with Shafique leading with an unbeaten 64.