Rizwan dedicates win to ‘brothers and sisters in Gaza’

Pakistan batsman Mohammed Rizwan has dedicated his team’s epic Cricket World Cup victory against Sri Lanka to “our brothers and sisters in Gaza.”

“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 Hassan 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, AFP reported.

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 at Hyderabad.

“Shouldn’t @iMRizwanPak have dedicated his match-winning innings to ALL noncombatants 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, India’s MS Dhoni was ordered by ICC to remove gloves with a controversial dagger logo in a World Cup game against Australia.

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