In a thrilling World Cup encounter on Tuesday, Pakistan secured a remarkable victory over Sri Lanka by six wickets. Opener Abdullah Shafique and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan delivered exceptional performances, both notching up centuries.
Shafique, who was participating in only his fifth One Day International (ODI) match, played a crucial role by scoring a patient 113 runs off 103 balls. Meanwhile, Rizwan battled cramps to achieve an unbeaten score of 131. Their partnership of 95 runs, along with Saud Shakeel’s contribution of 31 runs, played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s successful pursuit of Sri Lanka’s formidable total of 344/9 in just 48.2 overs.
This triumph propelled Pakistan to the second spot on the points table, trailing behind the tournament leaders, New Zealand.
Sri Lanka’s innings was highlighted by the impressive centuries of Kusal Mendis, who struck 122 runs, and Sadeera Samarawickrama, who contributed 108 runs. Mendis exhibited a brilliant performance, amassing 14 fours and six sixes in his 77-ball innings. He formed two crucial century partnerships, one with Pathum Nissanka, worth 102 runs for the second wicket, and another with Samarawickrama, amounting to 111 runs for the third wicket.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka: 344/9 in 50 overs (Pathum Nissanka 51, Kusal Mendis 122, Sadeera Samarawickrama 108; Hasan Ali 4/71).
Pakistan: 345/4 in 48.2 overs (Abdullah Shafique 113, Mohammad Rizwan 131 not out, Saud Shakeel 31, Iftikhar Ahmed 22 not out).
