Pakistan beat Sri Lanka with record World Cup chase

2 years ago 42

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ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, Hyderabad
Sri Lanka 344-9 (50 overs): Mendis 122 (77), Samarawickrama 108 (89); Hassan 4-71
Pakistan 345-4 (42.8 overs): Rizwan 131* (121), Shafique 113 (103); Madushanka 2-59
Pakistan won by six wickets
Scorecard; Group table

Pakistan superbly chased a World Cup record 345 to beat Sri Lanka in the game of the 2023 tournament so far in Hyderabad.

At 37-2 their target seemed a long way off but a superb partnership of 176 off 156 balls between Abdullah Shafique and Muhammad Rizwan laid the platform.

Shafique, who came into the team for Fakhar Zaman, made 113 off 103 balls before being caught at point, but Rizwan and Saud Shakeel then shared 95 for the fourth wicket.

Rizwan received treatment on a back injury, and cramp in his calf, but battled through the pain in heroic style.

The wicketkeeper finished unbeaten on 131 from 121 balls, and overcame the dismissal of Shakeel for 31, to hit the winning run and see his side home alongside Iftikhar Ahmed (22*) with 10 balls to spare.

Sri Lanka made 344-9 from their 50 overs with Kusal Mendis smashing a brilliant 122 off 77 balls and Sadeera Samarawickrama 108 off 89.

The match is the first in World Cup history to have four centuries.

Pakistan have won their first two matches, while Sri Lanka have lost both theirs.

In Tuesday's other World Cup match England recovered from their opening-game defeat with an emphatic 137-run win over Bangladesh.

Wednesday's World Cup action pits hosts India against Afghanistan in Delhi.

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Previous record chases in the Men's Cricket World Cup

328 - Ireland v England, 2011
322 - Bangladesh v West Indies, 2019
319 - Bangladesh v Scotland, 2015
313 - Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, 1992
310 - Sri Lanka v England, 2015

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Pakistan perfectly time chase to deliver history

At times Pakistan's approach felt laboured and perhaps too slow to chase the mammoth 345.

Ultimately it was perfectly timed.

The required run-rate crept as high as 8.5 with Rizwan and Shafique left 163 from the final 20 overs.

Years ago, teams would have stood no chance, but the advent of T20 cricket has made that sort of chase the norm.

Even in those final 20 overs it felt like Rizwan, Shafique and Shakeel were controlling the tempo of the game.

There were no rash shots. It was punishing the bad balls - and there were plenty with Sri Lanka well below the standard coach Chris Silverwood would want - and running hard.

Rizwan opens the batting for Pakistan in T20s and him set on 55 when they reached that many overs remaining left them as strong favourites.

His 131 was a career best and he took it upon himself to see Pakistan home.

Making sure he recovers from any ailments is going to be crucial for Pakistan's hopes in this tournament, especially with their game against arch rivals India next up on Saturday.

More to follow.

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