WC 2023, PAK vs SL: Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan centuries guide Pakistan beat Sri lanka by 6 wickets

Pakistan batters Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan scored centuries to guide their side to the highest-ever chase in the history of ODI World Cups. Pakistan chased down 345 runs to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

The match began with Sri Lanka choosing to bat first after winning the toss. Despite an early setback with the dismissal of opener Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, along with Pathum Nissanka, steadied the innings with a strong partnership. Nissanka scored a commendable half-century before being dismissed by Shadab Khan in the 18th over.

Sadeera Samarawickrama walked into bat after Sri Lanka lost their second wicket at 107 in the form of Nissanka and then aided Mendis, who was going hell for leather in Hyderabad.

Mendis then went on to break legendary batter Kumar Sangakkara’s record to hit the fastest



century by a Sri Lankan in the history of ODI World Cups. Mendis smashed a 65-ball hundred against Pakistan to get his side off to a flyer. Mendis also became the only Sri Lankan batter to hit a century against Pakistan in ODI World Cups.

Mendis scored 122 runs off 71 deliveries, smashing 14 boundaries and six maximums before being dismissed by pacer Hasan Ali in the 29th over. After Mendis departed for 122 and Charith Asalanka failed to move the scoreboard much, Sadeera shared a 50-plus stand with Dhananjaya de Silva.

Sadeera brought up his maiden ODI century in the 47th over before falling at the hands of Hasan Ali. But the damage had already been done by then as Sri Lanka finished with 344 for 9 on the board.

In the second innings, pacer Dilshan Madushanka provided Sri Lanka with the perfect start, removing opener Imam-ul-Haq and skipper Babar Azam in quick succession.