Pakistan pulled off a stunning six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a high-scoring World Cup match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Chasing a mammoth target of 345, Pakistan rode on brilliant centuries from Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan to seal the win with 10 balls to spare.
Shafique and Rizwan power Pakistan to record chase against Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, who won the toss and opted to bat first, posted a massive total of 344 for 9 in their 50 overs. Kusal Mendis (122 off 77 balls) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (108 off 89 balls) smashed the Pakistan bowlers all over the park, sharing a 203-run stand for the third wicket. Pathum Nissanka (51 off 61 balls) also contributed with a half-century at the top of the order. Hasan Ali was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, taking four wickets for 71 runs in his 10 overs.
Sri Lanka’s 344 in vain as Pakistan pull off sensational win in World Cup
Pakistan got off to a shaky start in their chase, losing Imam-ul-Haq (12), Babar Azam (10) inside the first 15 overs. However, Shafique and Rizwan turned the tide in Pakistan’s favour with a magnificent partnership of 224 runs for the fourth wicket. Shafique scored his maiden ODI hundred, making 113 off 103 balls with 10 fours and three sixes. Rizwan was even more aggressive, scoring 131 off 121 balls with eight fours and three sixes. He was named the player of the match for his match-winning knock.
Sri Lanka tried to fight back with some late wickets, but Iftikhar Ahmed (22 not out off 10 balls) finished the game with a flurry of boundaries. Maheesh Theekshana was the most economical bowler for Sri Lanka, taking one wicket for 59 runs in his 10 overs.
The win took Pakistan to the top of the points table with four points from two matches, while Sri Lanka remained at the bottom with zero points from two matches. The next match for Pakistan will be against arch-rivals India at Ahmedabad on October 14, while Sri Lanka will face Bangladesh at Kolkata on October 15.
