It was a fantastic result for Pakistan in Hyderabad against Sri Lanka. Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique each scored big hundreds to get Pakistan to the biggest-ever successful chase in ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup history.
Pakistan achieved their 345-run goal in 48.2 overs. The dynamic Mohammad Rizwan overcame leg cramps to score a 121-ball 131 not out. Abdullah Shafique scored a 103-ball 113 in his maiden CWC 2023 outing.
With two wins in a row, Pakistan has a huge confidence boost. They will be up against the arch-rivals India on Saturday in Ahmedabad.
Sri Lanka Bowlers Fail To Defend A Huge Total
Sri Lanka’s skipper Dasun Shanaka won the toss and chose to bat first. His team scored more runs than Pakistan has ever given up in an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match. Sadeera Samarawickrama’s 100 and a stunning Kusal Mendis 100 helped Sri Lanka record a huge total of 344/9 in their first innings.
In the CWC 2023 match against Pakistan on Tuesday at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Kusal Mendis scored the quickest century by a Sri Lankan batter. With 13 fours and four sixes, Mendis made his hundred in 65 balls.
In addition, Mendis’ 65-ball century is the sixth-fastest century in men’s ODI World Cup history. It trails only Aiden Markram of South Africa’s 49-ball century against Sri Lanka in Delhi in 2023.
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat. Mendis’ brilliant show helped Sri Lanka reach 344/9 with the help of Sadeera Samarawickrama’s 108 off 89 balls. Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva both made useful runs. By scoring 51 and 25 off of 61 and 34 balls, respectively.
Among Pakistan’s bowlers, Hasan Ali took 4/71, while Haris Rauf took 2/71, both in the final over.
“Based on the wicket’s behavior, I thought we were 20-25 runs short,” said Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka.
Pakistan cruised to a record win after a poor start
Four centuries were scored in the same match for the first time in men’s Cricket World Cup history, with Pakistan winning a high-scoring thriller.
Imam-ul-Haq (1) and Babar Azam (10) were out in the opening powerplay, giving Pakistan’s chase a poor start. Dilshan Madushanka took both wickets. However, Pakistan stabilized the ship and laid a foundation.
Abdullah Shafique, 23, reached triple figures for the first time in his young ODI career with a four through the leg side, one of 13 times he struck the boundary in his 103-ball 113.
Pakistan’s men needed a record effort to win their second straight match in CWC 2023 to go 2-0 in the CWC 2023 because they had never earlier chased a score above 340 in ODIs.
However, Pakistan’s highest-ever chase in the history of the competition was led by Mohammad Rizwan, who at one point during his great show fell from cramps. To conclude on 131* from 121 balls, the wicketkeeper scored the winning runs.
Abdullah Shafique gets into record books
There was no better CWC 2023 debut than Abdullah Shafique could have imagined. It was a night he will always cherish—a century in a record-breaking attempt to make it two wins in a row, praise from his captain, and support from the fans.
Shafique might have been carrying drinks in another world. By watching a famous victory from the sidelines and taking it all in. Or even a big defeat after giving up 345. However, a chance came his way as a result of Fakhar Zaman’s lean run, which had continued into its sixth month.
His 113 was unmatched. Instead of starting crazy, he kept to the old methods of building an inning. His ability to play to the field, choose which bowlers to face off against, and show self-awareness were all shown by this knock.
Mohammad Rizwan- the Matchwinner for Pakistan yet again
Pakistan’s top player on Tuesday was yet again Mohammad Rizwan. He scored a stunning 131 runs along with Abdullah Shafique, who smashed his first ODI century as Pakistan chased down a record score of 345.
Rizwan, who appeared to have injured a muscle and battled cramps to remain unbeaten on 131, found it very tough to play in Hyderabad’s humid climate. He kept taking pills and treatment to stay active in his nineties. It didn’t last long, though, as he smashed a six off Dhananjaya de Silva in the 37th over and fell to the ground. But he continued to fight.
After allowing Sri Lanka to escape their grasp, Mohammad Rizwan scored 131*, the highest ODI total by a Pakistan wicketkeeper. With two victories in a row, Pakistan has tied New Zealand for second place in the standings. They will look to maintain their momentum when they take on India in a few days in CWC 2023.
