World Cup 2023: Pakistan beats Sri Lanka by six wickets in Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, and records the highest run-chase ever in the history of the World Cup, i.e., 344 runs. Abdullah Shafique and Muhammad Rizwan, each scoring a ton, led Pakistan to get off the mark.

Pakistan’s Playing XI:

Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan (VC), Imam Ul Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmad, Muhammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf.

Sri Lanka’s Playing XI:

Dasun Shanaka (C), Kusal Mendis (VC), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka.

Match Summary:

Pakistan makes a new World record by successfully chasing 344 runs in a World Cup match against Sri Lanka. Abdullah Shafique and Muhammad Rizwan, each scoring a ton leading Pakistan to get to the breakthrough.

Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first against Pakistan. Any early swing, which Mendis had previously struggled to handle, was dealt with very easily since both Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali frequently bowled in the low 130s or below. Hasan Ali strikes in his first over, who caught Kusal Perera with an edge.

Kusal Mendis scored a brilliant 122 off 77 balls with a strike rate of 158.44. Throughout his innings, only six overs passed without him scoring a boundary from the middle of the second over when he entered, and the time he was dismissed in the 29th.

Mendis struck at above 140 against all five of the other bowlers, but only Iftikhar Ahmed had any success against him, departing for six runs in eight deliveries.

Kusal Mendis contributed for two hundred partnerships, first with Nissanka (51) adding 102 runs with him, and then he contributed 111 runs partnership with Samarawickrama. Sadeera Samarawickrama also scored an exceptional ton, scoring 108 off 89 balls, posting Sri Lanka to a total of 344/9.

Pakistani bowlers had a great comeback in the death overs restricting Sri Lanka to 344 with the loss of 9 wickets, taking five wickets in the last ten overs.

It was Abdullah Shafique and Muhammad Rizwan, who stayed at the crease and built-up the partnership, after the loss of two important wickets for Pakistan, as Pakistan were 37/2 after 7.2 overs.

However, the pair scored 62 runs between overs 10-20, before really stepping it up in the middle section. They would add another 72 runs from overs 20-30 before collecting 99 from overs 30 to 40, leaving a very reachable 74 off the last 60 deliveries.

It was a move that would stop the pursuit, but Rizwan himself bravely stayed until the bitter end, it might not have been enough even then. Rizwan added 170 run-stand with Abdullah Shafique. He would add a further 95 off 68 with Saud Shakeel and then 37 off 23 with Iftikhar Ahmed as Pakistan finally cruised to victory. This victory will give Pakistan a huge confidence boost before their important match against India on Saturday.

🏏 The planning behind Pakistan's record @cricketworldcup chase
🗣️ @iMRizwanPak's chat with Saeed Anwar before the tournament
💫 @imabd28 overcoming the pressure to hit stellar hundred@iamharis63 chats with last night's centurions 🎙️#PAKvSL | #DattKePakistani | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/9IMd0QOf7b

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 11, 2023