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In a nail-biting encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, Pakistan emerged victorious over Sri Lanka in the 8th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat, setting a formidable target of 345 runs for Pakistan. However, Pakistan’s batsmen rose to the occasion, chasing down the target with six wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare
Mendis, Samarawickrama guide Sri Lanka to formidable total
Sri Lanka got off to a mixed start with opener Kusal Perera departing without scoring any runs. However, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama steadied the ship with outstanding centuries. Mendis scored an explosive 122 runs off just 77 deliveries, featuring 14 fours and 6 sixes, while Samarawickrama contributed a brilliant 108 runs from 89 balls. These partnerships laid the foundation for Sri Lanka’s challenging total.
In response, Pakistan’s bowlers put up a spirited performance, with Hasan Ali being the pick of✅ the bunch, taking 4 crucial wickets for 71 runs. Despite the formidable total, Sri Lanka was unable to reach the 350-run mark.
Shafique, Rizwan take Pakistan over the finish line
Pakistan’s innings featured a remarkable display of batting prowess, led by opener Abdullah Shafique‘s magnificent century. Shafique scored a composed 113 runs from 103 balls, including 10 fours and 3 sixes. Mohammad Rizwan also played a pivotal role, contributing an explosive 134 runs from 121 deliveries, feat𓆏uring 9 fours and𝔉 3 sixes.
Also READ: CWC 2023 – Netizens spark meme fest as Pakistan captain Babar Azam exhibits flop show with the bat against Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s bowlers tried their best to contain the Pakistani batsmen, with Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka picking up a wicket each. However, the Pakistani batsmen managed to chase down the target comfortably with Saud Shakeel and Iftikhar Ahmed providing valuable support. In the end, Pakistan achieved a thrilling victory, chasing down Sri Lanka’s imposing total with 48.2 overs, securing a 6-wicket win.
Highest targets successfully chased in World Cups:
- 345 by Pakistab vs Sri Lanka, Hyderabad, 2023
- 328 by Ireland vs England, Bengaluru, 2011
- 322 by Bangladesh vs West Indies, Taunton, 2019
- 319 by Bangladesh vs Scotland, Nelson, 2015
- 313 by Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, New Plymouth, 1992
Also READ: CWC 2023 – Here is why Sadeera Samarawickrama was keeping instead of Kusal Mendis in PAK vs SL clash
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Kya phainta lagaya. Highest successful WC chase. Brilliant from Pakistan after losing 2 early wickets. Shafique was calm and elegant and Rizwan showing why he is so reliable. Sri Lankan bowling was all over the place🍃 and too many extras.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
Take a bow Abdullah!! 🔥
Maiden ODI 💯 and that too on a 🎶World Cup debut. Love his focus and presence of mind while out at the crease. Keep going and win this game for us 👍🏼
— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki)
50 overs of keeping with brilliant 💯 from Rizwan. Best player of spin from team Pakistan ꦜdoing it under pressure for them.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
Great inning from rizwan 👐.
— Mohammad Amir (@iamamirofficial)
Sri Lanka have only theꦿmselves to🍸 blame if they lose this. Too many freebies.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Phenomenal run chase fro🌼m Pakistan👏🏻👏🏻꧟��🏻👏🏻👏🏻!!!
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi)
Abdullah the courageous 💯 in a WC debut. 👏👏
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
A resounding victory for Pakistan!! Just the conf🦩idence boost they n⭕eeded! Those extra runs proved costly for Sri Lanka.
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa)
We got to see 5 centuries todayꦡ but Rizwan stole the show with his act 😛💟
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
When Rizwan started cramping up, SriLanka would have known they were in trouble.
What a game! What a win for Pakistan! 👏👏👏— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar)
WHAT A WIN 🙌
Batting of the highest or♈der to pull off a stunning run cꦯhase 🤩 | |
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB)
Pakistan won by six wickets.
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC)
A record-breaking chase by Pakistan 🙌
More ➡️ |
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup)