Pakistan secured their second consecutive victory at the World Cup by defeating Sri Lanka with a six-wicket win in Hyderabad. Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique played starring roles with the bat in this thrilling match.
What made this victory even more special was that Pakistan successfully chased down a target of 345 runs, setting a new record for the highest-ever run chase in the history of ODI World Cups, surpassing Ireland’s previous record.
The beginning of the match didn’t bode well for Pakistan as they lost their top-order batsmen, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam, early on, finding themselves at 37-2 after just 7.1 overs.
also read: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, World Cup 2023
However, the partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and World Cup debutant Abdullah Shafique turned the tide in Pakistan’s favor. Their impressive 176-run partnership gave Pakistan a strong foothold in the game.
Abdullah Shafique played a remarkable innings, scoring 113 runs off 103 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes. He eventually departed, but Rizwan continued to stand firm, ultimately scoring 131 runs.
Earlier, Sri Lanka had set a formidable target of 344 runs in the first innings, with Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama leading the way. Mendis displayed an exceptional performance, scoring 122 runs off 77 deliveries with a strike rate of 158.44, including 14 fours and six sixes. Samarawickrama also played a crucial role, reaching a century with 108 runs off 89 balls, featuring 13 boundaries.
Looking ahead, Pakistan is scheduled to face India on October 14, while Sri Lanka will clash with Australia on October 16 in Lucknow.
