Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter, Mohammad Rizwan, dedicated his team’s stunning victory against Sri Lanka in the ICC World Cup match to Palestinians who have been enduring relentless Israeli airstrikes in response to recent hostilities.
On Tuesday, Pakistan triumphed over Sri Lanka by six wickets, successfully chasing down a record target of 345 in 48.2 overs, in a thrilling match hosted in India’s Hyderabad. Rizwan played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s victory, scoring an impressive 131 not out, while opener Abdullah Shafique contributed with a brilliant 113, setting the stage for a remarkable win with 10 balls to spare.
In a heartfelt message posted on social media, Rizwan expressed his dedication to the people of Gaza, saying, “This was for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Happy to contribute to the win.” He went on to credit the entire team for their collective effort and singled out Abdullah Shafique and Hassan Ali for their significant contributions.
Furthermore, Rizwan extended his gratitude to the Indian fans, stating, “Extremely grateful to the people of Hyderabad for the amazing hospitality and support throughout.”
The backdrop of this dedication is the dire situation unfolding in the Gaza Strip, as Israel imposed a complete blockade in response to recent Hamas attacks. Israeli airstrikes have targeted over 200 locations in Gaza, resulting in a humanitarian crisis with residents facing a severe shortage of essential supplies. The death toll from the ongoing clashes has tragically crossed 2,000.
Under this “complete siege,” Israel has halted the supply of electricity, food, water, and fuel to the enclave. The Palestinian interior ministry reported that many of the targeted areas included residential buildings, civil and service facilities, and several mosques, though Hamas denied using any of these structures for military purposes.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, the casualties continue to rise, with at least 900 people martyred and 4,600 wounded in this densely populated coastal enclave.
In a shocking development, Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip conducted a devastating attack in southern Israel, marking the deadliest Palestinian attack in Israel’s history. This attack resulted in the capture of dozens of Israelis and foreigners, who were paraded through the streets and held hostage.
Hamas attributed this attack to Israeli violations in the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem and an increase in settler violence. The situation remains highly volatile, and international efforts to broker a ceasefire and alleviate the suffering of those in the region continue.
