What a run chase put up by the Pakistani batters as they successfully chased down a massive target of 345 runs against Sri Lanka in the World Cup 2023 game at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. They defeated the Island nation by 6 wickets on Tuesday.
The Pakistan team had a torrid start in their run chase of 345 runs with opener Imam-ul-Haq fell early in the innings and Babar Azam was the next one to depart. Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique then took the onus and carried forward Pakistan’s innings. Both batters went on to add 176 runs in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Abdullah Shafique ended up scoring 115 runs off 103 balls while Rizwan remained unbeaten on 131 runs.
For Sri Lanka, Madushanka scalped two wickets while Pathirana and Theekshana managed to take a wicket each.
Earlier, Sri Lanka's captain Dasun Shanaka opted to bat after winning the toss, and on the back of the hundreds from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sri Lanka managed to post a massive total of 344/9 against Pakistan in their World Cup match at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International stadium.
Pathum Nissanka also contributed by smashing a fifty, enabling Sri Lanka to breach the 300-run mark. For Pakistan, it was Hasan Ali who scalped four wickets after giving away 71 runs while Haris Rauf's twin wickets in the last over stopped the Lankans from getting to 350.
Mendis and Nissanka started tormenting Pakistan bowlers after suffering an early blow in the form of Kusal Perera. Both batters went on to add 102 runs for Sri Lanka’s second wicket before Shadab Khan chipped in as he took the wicket of Nissanka. Mendis on the other hand went on to record his third ODI century off just 65 balls. He ended up scoring 122 off 77 balls as Pakistan saw some sight of relief with Hasan Ali striking with back-to-back wickets. Samarawickrama then came into bat and amassed his maiden ODI ton, helping his side post 344 runs.