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regular-article-logo Thursday, 05 December 2024

World Cup 2023: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka as Mohammad Rizwan grabs limelight with sublime innings

Babar Azam's men chase 345-run target with ten balls to spare

Our Web Desk Published 10.10.23, 10:42 PM
Mohd Rizwan

Mohd Rizwan PTI picture

When Babar Azam doesn't deliver for Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan does. And today's World Cup fixture versus Sri Lanka bears testimony to that.

Pakistan pulled off their best chase ever in a World Cup to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets. More than being Pakistan's victory, it seemed like Sri Lanka's loss as their bowlers couldn't contain Rizwan on a rampage, primarily lacking in discipline and giving away too many extras.

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Babar Azam's men eventually chased down a steep 345-run target with ten balls to spare.

Shafique, playing only his fifth ODI, slammed a 103-ball 113, while Rizwan battled cramps to hit an unbeaten 131 and shared a 95-run partnership with Saud Shakeel (31) to help Pakistan overhaul Sri Lanka's total of 344/9 in 48.2 overs.

Following their second win in the tournament, Pakistan climbed one spot to second on the points table behind leaders New Zealand.

Earlier, Kusal Mendis (122) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (108) struck terrific centuries as Sri Lanka posted a huge 344/9.

Mendis clobbered 14 fours and six sixes to make 122 off 77 balls and was involved in two century partnerships. He added 102 runs with Pathum Nissanka (51) for the second wicket and 111 with Samarawickrama for the third.

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).

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