Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique both scored hundreds as Pakistan overcame Sri Lanka by six wickets in a record run chase at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Pakistan Chased 345 Score of 8th ODI of World Cup 2023
On Tuesday, Pakistan chased down a target of 345 in 48.2 overs, with Rizwan batting an unbeaten 131 and Shafique making 113, surpassing Ireland’s previous successful chase of 328 when they surprised England in the 2011 World Cup.
Earlier, Kusal Mendis hit the fastest century for Sri Lanka in a World Cup competition on his way to 122, while Sadeera Samarawickrama scored 108 off 89 balls.
Pakistan improved its record against Sri Lanka to 8-0 and now has four points from two victories after defeating both qualifiers – the Netherlands and Sri Lanka – before of Saturday’s showdown with archrivals India in Ahmedabad.
Sri Lanka has struggled with their bowling this World Cup, and they also lost their first game against South Africa, who scored 428 runs against them.
Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique’s Outstanding Centuries
Shafique and Rizwan’s hundreds, which included eight fours and three sixes, eclipsed Mendis’s 77-ball 122 and Samarawickrama’s 108 – maiden ODI hundreds that pushed Sri Lanka’s total to 344-9 on a day when bowlers from both sides were walloped on a brilliant batting surface.
Mendis and Samarawickrama batted aggressively in the middle overs, putting on a 111-run third-wicket stand off 69 balls.
Mendis took advantage of two early missed catches inside the powerplay, when first off-colour Shaheen Afridi (1-66) couldn’t hold onto a sharp return catch and Imam-ul-Haq dropped a sharp opportunity at point.
Mendis struck 14 fours and six sixes, including a flicked six over midwicket against Pakistan’s finest bowler of the day, Hasan Ali (4-71) to complete his century in 65 balls.
After Mendis holed out to a well-timed catch by Imam at mid-wicket, Samarawickrama grabbed command.
Despite Samarawickrama’s century, Pakistan pulled back in the final ten overs, with Haris Rauf (2-64) taking up both his wickets in the final over.
Dilshan Madushanka took the important wickets in the powerplay as Imam pulled to fine leg and skipper Babar Azam on 10 runs edged a leg-side flick to the wicketkeeper, giving Pakistan a sluggish start to the chase.
Highest Ever ODI Run Chase by Pakistan
Shafique and Rizwan then launched Pakistan’s highest-ever ODI run chase, while Sri Lankan bowlers such as Matheesha Pathirana sprayed many of errant deliveries with slingy action to finish with 1-90.
“It’s always a proud memory when you perform for your country,” Rizwan said as he spoke to the media after claiming his player of the match trophy.
“It was difficult because when you chase like that it’s always special. When we went to the dressing room every player believed we were going to chase that. This is a team game and we decided to go with a deep partnership.”
Sri Lankan Captain Dasun Shanaka Statement
Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka’s skipper, sought to remain upbeat about his team’s performance, particularly that of his two centurions.
“I’m really happy about the way both of the guys played, but we should have finished a bit stronger than this,” he said.
“We have to look at the areas we bowled and the number of extras. The only way is to encourage [them]. We had our chances in the field but missed a lot today.”
To read our blog on “Mitchell Starc sets a new record in World Cup 2023,” click here.
