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'Pakistan Will Go With Same Plan Against Them': Mohammad Rizwan 'Fires Shot' At India

image-lnld05aqRizwan after the win vs SL [Twitter]

Mohammad Rizwan sent down a warning to arch-rivals India after Pakistan's impressive run-chase and victory against Sri Lanka in Hyderabad on Tuesday (October 10). 

The match-winning centurion backed Pakistan to carry the momentum with them into the marquee encounter of the ICC World Cup 2023 in Ahmedabad and upstage the fancied tournament hosts on Saturday (October 14). 

Rizwan urged Pakistan to go ahead with the "same plan" against Rohit Sharma & company after their strategy to counterattack under pressure worked wonders versus the Lankan Lions on a flat surface at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. 

Pakistan would've regretted being overaggressive with their lengths on a batting surface in the first half when Sri Lanka piled on the massive 344/9 in their 50 overs. However, the Asian giants' strategy to calmly withstand the pressure stages and keep wickets in hand propelled them above the inexperienced opposition attack. 

Rizwan Backs Pakistan To Continue Momentum Against India 

Rizwan produced one of the best knocks of his playing career on the night. The experienced middle-order player hammered an imposing 131 off 121 deliveries despite battling an injured calf and shared a match-winning stand of 176 runs with fellow centurion Abdullah Shafique (113) after Pakistan were reduced to 37/2 in the eighth over. 

Speaking to broadcasters at the post-match presentation ceremony upon receiving the 'Player of the Match' trophy, Rizwan could feel the "confidence" Pakistan would've gained with their second successive win at the start of the competition and backed the 1992 champions to come out triumphant against India.

"Our next match is against India and this will give us confidence and we will go with the same plan," the Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter said. 

Rizwan explained the thought process during his partnership with Shafique, whose century would count as the team's brightest positive after replacing the struggling Fakhar Zaman. 

"We had the belief to chase that down. Shafique played very well and when there is a 345-run target on the board then as opener you have a burden and he was up to the challenge."

"It was a supporting pitch so we decided that we will not look at the board and take a target of 20 overs and that paid off," he added. 

Notably, Pakistan have lost on all previous seven occasions they've faced India in men's 50-over World Cup history. The forthcoming clash is thus an opportunity for Babar Azam's men to rewrite the narrative and make amends at the biggest stage.