In a heart-pounding showdown at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, Pakistan etched their name in history by executing the most remarkable run chase ever witnessed in an ICC ODI World Cup match. In a thrilling contest, Pakistan overcame Sri Lanka’s imposing target of 345 runs, sealing an extraordinary victory with six wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare. This gripping encounter followed England’s dominant win over Bangladesh earlier in the day, where England triumphed by a resounding 137-run margin.
Sri Lanka’s Strong Start
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first, setting the stage for an intense battle. The match began with a blow for Sri Lanka as opener Kusal Perera was dismissed without contributing any runs. However, Pathum Nisanka brought stability to the team with a composed 51 runs from 61 balls before being caught by Abdullah Shafique off Shadab Khan’s delivery. The standout performer for Sri Lanka was Kusal Mendis, amassing an impressive 122 runs from just 77 balls before being dismissed by Hassan Ali.
Sadeera Samarawickrama reached a century, scoring 108 runs from 89 balls before Muhammad Rizwan secured his wicket with a delivery from Hasan Ali. Dhananjaya De Silva, Captain Dasun Shanaka, and Dunith Wellalage made modest contributions, enabling Sri Lanka to post a challenging total of 344 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 50 overs.
Pakistan’s Heroics
Hassan Ali emerged as the star performer for Pakistan in the bowling department, claiming 4 crucial wickets in his 10 overs, despite conceding 71 runs. Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, and Shadab Khan also took one wicket each, while Haris Rauf contributed with 2 wickets.
Chasing a daunting target, Pakistan’s opening batsman Imam ul Haq faced early struggles. However, Abdullah Shafique played a magnificent innings, amassing 113 runs from 103 balls before being caught by substitute fielder Dushan Hemantha off Matheesha Pathirana’s delivery. Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, encountered difficulties in finding form and departed without making a substantial contribution.
But the true hero of the day for Pakistan was Mohammad Rizwan, who played a sensational knock, accumulating 134 runs from 120 balls. Saud Shakeel and Iftikhar Ahmed made crucial contributions to secure Pakistan’s historic run chase, ultimately sealing a remarkable six-wicket victory.
The Road Ahead
With this remarkable win, Pakistan maintains a flawless record, having won both of their matches in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. In contrast, Sri Lanka has suffered two defeats in their World Cup campaign.
Looking forward, the tournament promises more thrilling encounters, with the host nation India set to face Afghanistan at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi tomorrow. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await a high-stakes fixture as Pakistan gears up for a showdown against arch-rivals India at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, in their next match on 14th October. The days ahead are sure to deliver electrifying contests and unforgettable cricket moments.
