In Hyderabad, on Tuesday, Pakistan achieved an impressive victory over Sri Lanka, successfully chasing down their highest-ever ODI target, securing a six-wicket win during a Cricket World Cup 2023 group stage match.
The remarkable performance was highlighted by Mohammad Rizwan’s fearless unbeaten innings of 131 runs and the maiden century scored by Abdullah Shafique in his World Cup debut. Together, they guided the Pakistani team to reach the challenging target of 345 runs in just 48.2 overs.
READ MORE: Shubman Gill contracted dengue, will he be able to play against Pakistan?
Pakistan’s chase got off to a disappointing start, with both Imam-ul-Haq (1) and Babar Azam (10) dismissed in a sluggish first powerplay, with Dilshan Madushanka taking both wickets.
But Pakistan steadied the ship and built a platform, with Abdullah Shafique reaching his first century on his world cup debut and building a sizeable partnership with Mohammad Rizwan.
After Shafique was dismissed for 113 by Matheesha Pathirana, Saud Shakeel joined Rizwan on the crease but he could extend a little support to the latter. Shakeel was sent packing for 31 but Iftikhar maintained the momentum to ensure Pakistan’s second consecutive victory of the event.
Earlier, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama smashed stunning centuries, helping Sri Lanka to set a record 345 runs taregt for Pakistan. Opening batsman Pathum Nissanka made fifty but he could not get support from his partner Kusal Perera, who was dismissed for duck.
Kusal Mendis was the star of the show for Sri Lanka for the second successive game, with the big-hitting No.3 slamming a majestic century to get his side off to a phenomenal start with the bat. He made 122 off 77 while Samarawickrama scored 108 off 89 as Pakistani bowling lineup struggled to restrict them from putting score on board.
Hasan Ali took four wickets for 71 and Harif Rauf grabbed two scalps while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan took one wicket each.
