Rizwan and Shafique Propel Pakistan to Record World Cup Victory Over Sri Lanka

In a thrilling World Cup encounter, Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique’s outstanding centuries led Pakistan to a historic victory over Sri Lanka, as they successfully chased down a formidable target of 345 runs in Hyderabad. The match, held on Tuesday, will be remembered as one of the greatest World Cup clashes to date.

Rizwan, despite battling leg cramps, displayed remarkable resilience by scoring an unbeaten 131 from 121 balls. Meanwhile, Shafique’s brilliant innings of 113 from 103 balls showcased his prowess as a formidable batsman. Together, they orchestrated a remarkable partnership of 176 runs for the third wicket and later added 95 runs for the fourth wicket with Saud Shakeel, who contributed with a quickfire 31 from 30 balls.

This historic chase not only secured Pakistan’s second consecutive win in the tournament but also boosted their confidence ahead of their highly anticipated showdown against India in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

Rizwan, reflecting on his exceptional performance, expressed his pride in the team’s achievement, emphasizing the belief they had in their ability to chase down the target. He also humorously brushed off his leg cramps, suggesting they might have been a bit theatrical.

On the other side, Sri Lanka posted an imposing total of 344-9, largely thanks to brilliant centuries from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama. Mendis played a scintillating innings of 122 from just 77 balls, while Samarawickrama contributed an impressive 108 from 89 balls.

Despite their excellent batting display, Sri Lanka’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, felt they fell short by 20-25 runs due to the challenging pitch conditions.

This World Cup clash will be remembered for its record-breaking run chase, with Pakistan surpassing the previous highest chase of 328 runs, set by Ireland against England in 2011. It was a memorable day for cricket fans, and it sets the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.

Pakistan VS Sri Lanka World Cup 2023 Complete Highlights