NEW DELHI, Oct  11, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Pakistan batsman Mohammad Rizwan on

Wednesday dedicated his team's epic Cricket World Cup victory against Sri Lanka
to "our brothers and sisters in Gaza", potentially putting him at odds with
support for Israel expressed by the government of host nation India.

"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.

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 on Tuesday.

India's government has joined ranks with Western nations to condemn the
attacks launched by Gaza militants, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying
the country stands "in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour".

However, Rizwan drew criticism for his views.

"Shouldn't @iMRizwanPak have dedicated his match winning innings to ALL non
combatants 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 arch-rivals India in their next game in Ahmedabad on
Saturday.

On Wednesday, Israel continued to pound Hamas targets in Gaza, leaving
entire city blocks in rubble.

Authorities said they had found 1,200 bodies five days after the Islamist
militants' onslaught.

Gaza officials reported more than 1,000 people killed in Israel's withering
campaign of air and artillery strikes.

More than 25 other nations have reported citizens killed, abducted or
missing in the violence.