HYDERABAD: It was a workmanlike 81-run win for Pakistan in the opener against the Netherlands but Mohammad Rizwan was pleased with the performance.
"Indian pitches are good for batting but there is some help for spinners and seamers. Haris Rauf (3/43) got some movement today (Friday)," Rizwan said.
That Rauf had something to bowl at was mainly due to Rizwan's 120-run partnership with Saud Shakeel, who he said is the next big thing from Pakistan. Both chipped in with contrasting 68s.
"Saud is gifted and if he continues the good work, he'll be the next superstar for Pakistan. Usually, when I bat with Babar (Azam), we plan our innings. Today I didn't tell Saud anything because given the way he plays, we'll get runs anyway," Rizwan gushed.
To think of it, Shakeel was not even in the reckoning for World Cup. The left-hander made his ODI debut in England in 2021 but was considered more a Test specialist after his double century against Sri Lanka in July.
