Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan said that if someone is playing for the average, then the batter is average.
Rizwan is the second batter in T20Is to have an average of 50+. He joins an elite list of two players which includes him and former Indian captain Virat Kohli. Rizwan averages 50.38 while Kohli has an average of 51.75.
"If you look at the average, you are an average player. If you look at the conditions and what the game demands that will make you better. We have learned a lot of things from Virat Kohli, I respect him," he said in a post-match presentation after the win in the second T20I against Ireland.
Meanwhile, he also shed light on the game and hailed his partnership with Fakhar Zaman.
"They played really well against us. It was not an easy chase because the Ireland bowlers knew their conditions better, they gave us a difficult time early on, but we decided that chasing 194, we have to attack. You're always in pressure when you lose especially with World Cup around the corner," he added.
Pakistan struggled initially in the chase, losing Saim Ayub (6) and skipper Babar Azam (0).
But, Rizwan and Fakhar paired up to form a gigantic partnership. Their 140-run partnership is Pakistabn's highest for the 3rd wicket in T20Is, breaking the record of 105 between Rizwan and Haider Ali.
Rizwan remained not out on 75 off 46 balls with the help of fours sixes and six fours while Fakhar hit 78 off 40, powered six fours and as many sixes.
Wicketkeeper-batter Azam took on the Ireland bowlers, smacking 30* off 10 which included a four and four maximums.
Earlier, Ireland posted 193/7 after being put into bat first by Pakistan, their highest-ever total at the Clontarf Cricket Club
Pakistan opted to field and started well with Shaheen Afridi picking the first two wickets. He dismissed Paul Stirling (16) and Andy Balbirnie (11).
But Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker recovered for Ireland with a 62-run partnership. Tector was the best batter for the home side, scoring 51 off 34 balls while Tucker made 32 off 28 balls.
Curtis Campher also chipped in with a 13-ball 22 while Gareth Delany slammed a 10-ball 28 cameo and remained not out to post Ireland's highest-ever total at Clontarf Cricket Club.
Shaheen picked three wickets but conceded 49 runs while Mohammad Amir, in his first game of the series, finished with 1/44.
The series decider will be held at the same venue on April 14.
- Mohammad Rizwan
