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Last Updated : 2024-05-06 18:48:00
10 October 2023 10:53 pm - 38 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique clubbed centuries as Pakistan chased down the highest target in World Cup history to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
The diminutive Rizwan overcame leg cramps to score a 121-ball 131 not out while Shafique hit a 103-ball 113 as Pakistan overhauled their 345-run target in 48.2 overs.
The victory gives Pakistan two wins in as many games and a huge boost in confidence ahead of their high-profile clash against India in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
Sri Lanka's imposing total of 344-9 was built around brilliant hundreds from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama.
Rizwan cracked eight boundaries and three sixes while Shafique's knock had ten boundaries and three sixes as Pakistan improved on the previous highest World Cup chase of 328 by Ireland against England in Bangalore in 2011.
Rizwan added a match-turning 176 run stand for the third wicket with Shafique and another 95 for the fourth with Saud Shakeel who made a 30-ball 31.
Rizwan and Shafique lifted Pakistan from a disastrous start in which they lost Imam-ul-Haq (12) and skipper Babar Azam (ten) to pacer Dilshan Madushanka.
Haq, who completed 3,000 runs in 67 innings to become the second joint fastest to the milestone, hooked into the hands of the fielder while Azam edged a flick behind the wicket.
Shafique, who replaced out-of-form Fakhar Zaman, justified his selection by reaching his maiden hundred off 97 balls.
Shafique fell in the 34th over to Matheesha Pathirana but Rizwan continued the chase, reaching his third ODI hundred off 97 balls.
He hit the winning single and raised his hands in delight.
When Sri Lanka batted, after winning the toss, Mendis smashed the fastest century for Sri Lanka in a World Cup match with a 77-ball 122, his highest score in ODIs and third century.
- Mendis dropped twice -
It was an innings spiced with 14 boundaries and half a dozen sixes, leading the charge for Sri Lanka while Samarawickrama hit an 89-ball 108 for his maiden hundred.
Samarawickrama hit 11 boundaries and two sixes.
Mendis twice escaped dropped catches -- Shaheen Shah Afridi dropped him off his own bowling in the fifth over and then Imam-ul-Haq blundered in the next over again off Shaheen on 18.
Mendis completed his 50 off 40 balls with his seventh boundary, lifting Sri Lanka from the early loss of Kusal Perera (nought) in the second over to Hasan Ali.
Mendis put on a 102 with Pathum Nissanka whose 51 came off 61 balls with seven boundaries and a six.
Once Nissanka fell to Shadab Khan, Mendis and Samarawickrama unleashed some superb hitting against Pakistan's pacers and spinners alike, adding 111 for the third wicket.
They were savage on fast bowler Haris Rauf, hitting him for two sixes and a boundary in the 21st over.
When Shaheen came back for a second spell, Mendis cracked three fours in the 25th over.
Hasan was hoisted by Mendis for a six to allow the batsman his third hundred off 65 balls.
It was his first century in three-and-a-half years but he had made 76 in the opening defeat to South Africa and now has at least five half-centuries in his last seven ODIs.
Previously, Kumar Sangakkara held the Sri Lanka World Cup record with a 70-ball hundred, scored against England in 2015.
Mendis's previous best was 119 against the West Indies in Hambantota in February 2020.
Mendis hit two sixes off Hasan's 29th over before he holed out at deep mid-wicket boundary.
Hasan then removed Charith Asalanka for one but Samarawickrama and Dhananjaya de Silva (25) added 65 for the fifth wicket.
Hasan finished as the best bowler with 4-71 while Rauf took 2-64.
A Tuesday, 10 October 2023 11:11 PM
I think Pramodaya chief selector has done great job .....he forgot to select the bowlers for the WC.
Quintus Christian George Tuesday, 10 October 2023 11:19 PM
Total runs scored 689 in WC Biggest chase 345 in WC Credit goes to the Pakistan Coach He himself told couple of days ago that he knows thoroughly the inside out of the SL team and he know what to do Congrats Pakistan and best of luck in future emcounters
Record of records Tuesday, 10 October 2023 11:19 PM
There's nothing to be ashamed of for SL. By the end of the tournament they'll be holding the most number of records; record for conceding highest number of records; one which will be difficult to be broken in future and will always be held by SL.
Jayantha Tuesday, 10 October 2023 11:26 PM
We are loosing most of the time recently due to our batting. These pitches are very good for batting so nothing much the ballers could do even if you have the best skills. We were about 40 to 50 runs short and also Matheesha gave away so many wides. Send Dananjaya as the opening partner to Nissanka and tell him that this is his last chance. He is a failure as a batsman and irresponsible. Same with Dasun but at least he can ball some overs better than Dananjaya. Drop Matheesha and include Dimuth also in the lineup as it will give more batting depth. Use Asalanka, Dananjaya to cover that. If Dananjya keeps failing give a chance to Hemantha. Poor squad selection is the issue here.
Extra runs Wednesday, 11 October 2023 01:33 PM
Not just SL, but all the teams after loosing by a small margin always say "we were short by 10/20 or 20/30 or 30/40 runs". Do they mean to say if they would have had those extra runs they would have won.???? Rubbish. The chasing team would have adjusted their scoring to make up for those extra runs. Isn't it? In fact the final score that was chased down indeed was inclusive of those extra runs.
roni Tuesday, 10 October 2023 11:41 PM
OUR Bowling coach taking millions each month should be sacked on the spot. If we are unable to defend 340 why have to we pay this coach so much money, what has he done for the last so many years other than fatten his bank account. Go home Vass. Do not live on your past laurels. It is history.
Sack selectors Tuesday, 10 October 2023 11:58 PM
Should immediately drop both Dasun
Cherath Wednesday, 11 October 2023 12:24 AM
To win ODIs, a team need to score over 300 and get the opposition out for less within the 50 overs. Sri Lanka, as they have shown twice in this world cup, will score 300 but aren't able to restrict the opposition. 20 yr old Pathirana bowls wild and gives away 80 runs in 10 overs in extras, wides and boundaries Dhananjaya sadly is just a pedestrian and a liability. Sadder is not able to draft new players. So use the world cup as an experience for the future. Doubt if SL can win any match this time.
Tourette Syndrom Wednesday, 11 October 2023 01:44 PM
Tourette syndrom - Why is Mathesha Pathirana twitching his head constantly while batting? I believe it"s a medical condition called Tourette syndrom. But he does not want to bat last !!! With such a condition how can someone focus and control his bowling? First treat him for it before thinking of cricket. In the Pakistan match he would have easily conceded 50 runs off his wide deliveries alone in addition to those from nomrmal deliveries. All other teams and coaches are very happy if he playes. Long way to go before he could get any closer to Malinga.
Jude Wednesday, 11 October 2023 12:26 AM
When you score 344 runs 9 out of 10 you win the game, unfortunately it was the 10 Huh.
Jude Wednesday, 11 October 2023 12:27 AM
The coaches and the management must find the way to strengthen the bowling, yeah.
Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 11 October 2023 01:13 AM
We lost again despite good batting. The balling department is not strong enough.
dotv Wednesday, 11 October 2023 02:09 AM
Congratulations to the winner Pakistan .But it was a great innings for SriLanka .you were almost there ..a solid performance indeed !..Much more would happen in the future I believe with this young team all fired up to play the game .
Jude Wednesday, 11 October 2023 02:17 AM
I've a message for the consultant, why Kasun Ranjith didn't play!?? he's better batsman of SL tailenders. Pathirana lack direction he should be replaced by Rajitha. Dananjaya should be dropped and hemantha should replace him. Can't understand Why Lahiru kumara not playing!?? Kumar's pace better than Shanaka's bowling!!
Jays A Wednesday, 11 October 2023 12:17 PM
If it’s happen first you r all we have to drop the captain Shanaka - see his performance nance as a captain he is in terribly bad form and Kusal mendis or samarawickrama takes the lead and add a one more seemer to strengthen the balling Department.
Ram Wednesday, 11 October 2023 02:55 AM
Unless our bowlers do well our team is unlikely to make any impressions this world cup. I do not want to comment on names but bowlers were not up to mark
Jude Wednesday, 11 October 2023 03:08 AM
So called Experts got it wrong with the team selection!!! Why Kasun Ranjith not in the playing eleven and why Lahiru kumara not playing!??? Dushan Hemantha should replace Dananjaya de Silva. moreover Pathirana not accurate nor skilled to play ODI cricket he should be replaced!!
Ravi Wednesday, 11 October 2023 03:15 AM
The SL team failed to sustain the pressure after the fall of 2 wickets. I wonder if there is a technical team who would analyse the strengths and weakness of opposite team and support captain on field with strategies to curtail or dislodge batsmen. shanaka was totally clueless after 30th over and was "well" Supported by pathirana with generous extras....
Ding Dong Ding Dong Wednesday, 11 October 2023 05:16 AM
In World cup matched Pak to SL = 8 : 0 Ind to Pak = 9 : 0 Therefore Ind to SL = 17. : 00
cena Wednesday, 11 October 2023 06:08 AM
Pls come.back. even if you get 400 the other team will chase. SL cricket does not have the positive vibes of all the cricket loving fans of that country. It's the karma of arrogance, racist actions, and ineffective ppl seating in the office of SLC.
Redflame Wednesday, 11 October 2023 06:21 AM
Nuwan Pradeep and Asitha Fernando more experienced deciplined bowlers with good line and length would have been a better choice than Pathirana and Lahiru Kumara. Another Selection blunder.
peo Wednesday, 11 October 2023 06:25 AM
Pathirana has to be sidelined for the rest of the matches
DD Wednesday, 11 October 2023 06:27 AM
Ahhh, missed this game! No matter who's the winner or loser at the end of the day, the game of cricket is the real champion. With explosive batting, it's like an ongoing drama filled with centuries, dropped catches, and unforgettable moments.
Sambo Wednesday, 11 October 2023 07:08 AM
Congratulations Sri Lanka on your continuous failures in the game.
roni Wednesday, 11 October 2023 08:57 AM
This bowling coach needs to be shown the door. If our bowlers cannot defend 340 the question that begs to asked is what he has been doing for so long' Every great bowler at his time does not make a good bowling coach. He appears to just be collecting a handsome pay packet.
AIA Wednesday, 11 October 2023 09:16 AM
Unfortunately our bowling attack is of school standard. Can't expect anything more
Jude Wednesday, 11 October 2023 09:44 AM
My guess is Kusal Mendis not available for next game!! That means SL all out for Less than 200 runs yeah in the next game without Kusal Mendis.
Mario Wednesday, 11 October 2023 10:25 AM
I cannot believe it. Two matches over 300 and still on the losing end. What on earth is wrong with the Sri Lanka team?
Mohan Wednesday, 11 October 2023 12:25 PM
Pathirana hasn't got enough control. Only four batsmen seem to be in form (Mendis, Sadeera, Asalanka and Pathum). We should have managed Chameera and Hasaranga better. The pitches in India at this time of the year are not spin friendly. So, I don't see SL qualifying for the semifinals. But, should put forth our best display possible.
OMG Wednesday, 11 October 2023 01:48 PM
Everyone know SL cannot qualify for semifinal even before the WC started. Even winning a single match was in doubt. But conceding so many records. OMG.
Randy Simms Wednesday, 11 October 2023 12:37 PM
Send Pathirana,Dasun,Dananjaya,Kusal Perera home... Disgraceful... Pathirana is not a Bowler..!
Agree Wednesday, 11 October 2023 01:46 PM
Totally totally totally agree.
Act Wise Wednesday, 11 October 2023 12:53 PM
The reason they hang on to Dasun was we were winning somehow matches, that too is gone now.Not only batting his fielding lapses terrible. Dananjaya's bowling
Hard Truth Wednesday, 11 October 2023 01:11 PM
It's a bowling attack at its best. Pathirana extra wides magic. Gone are the days.
Anthony. R Wednesday, 11 October 2023 01:34 PM
Dasun Shanakas irresponsible batting at a crucial time of the innings cost us another 25 to 30 runs at least,and his fielding was terrible. Dhananjaya should have been batted at the top. All round very bad and poor team selection, Promodya get out,and the bowling coach pathetic, Mathhesha Pathirana very immature was all over the place leaked too many runs,this baby needs more training to be playing in a tournament of this caliber. This shows what our so called Selectors,coaches and managers are of,No Common or Cricket sense at all. Silverwood covering up all selfishly. Bad show
Something wrong somewhere Wednesday, 11 October 2023 01:56 PM
There's a saying "horses for courses". Some of SL players are not suitable for limited overs cricket - Danamjaya, Dimithu. K Perera is on old horse. Intriguingly SL is unable to field a solid team of 11 from a population of more than 22 million. Something is definitely wrong somewhere.
wsw Wednesday, 11 October 2023 03:00 PM
Dasun had a free ride courtesy of his buddies when Sri Lanka were riding high beating minnows. Now the true state of the team has been exposed with most players not even fit enough to play club cricket in other countries. The bunch running SLC including that clown Pramodaya must be having a mighty laugh all at the expense of us patrons.
Karalasingam Sivalingam Wednesday, 11 October 2023 09:41 PM
We were heroes in 1996, in 2023 we are zeros, sad, 4 good batsmen, rest are nervous batsmen, watching SriLankan matches ends in disappointment, remedy send weak player home, induct school cricketers, who will perform better, invite applications from schools with reports of their performances, peruse them, form two teams, watch them how they perform and select the best. There are many similar to Thrushi in the shade.
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