ODI World Cup 2023 Cricket

'Historic moment hai bhai' - Fans react as Pakistan outmuscle Sri Lanka by chasing down highest ever total in ODI World Cup history

Pakistan made an amazing record as they chased down the highest-ever total in the 48-year-long history of the ODI World Cup, since the inception of the tournament in 1975.

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Mathew K
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Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed, Pakistan (File Photo, Twitter)

Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed, Pakistan (File Photo, Twitter)

Riding on the brilliant centuries of Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan completely outmuscled Sri Lanka to register the highest-ever successful run-chase in the history of the ODI World Cup. Sri Lanka skipper, Dasun Shanaka won the toss and decided to bat first. Batting first, the Islanders posted a massive total of 344 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the allotted 50 overs.

Wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis and star middle-order batter Sadeera Samarawickrama scored brilliant centuries for Sri Lanka. Mendis played a swashbuckling knock of 122 runs off just 77 runs, hitting 14 fours and 6 sixes with the bat. He registered the record fastest century for Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup in just 65 balls.

Following Mendis, Samarawickrama also scored 108 runs off just 89 balls, with 11 fours and 2 sixes. Other than these two, Pathum Nissanka also contributed with crucial 51 runs, including 7 fours and a six. Hasan Ali scalped 4 wickets for Pakistan, alongside two wickets picked by Haris Rauf. Apart from this, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz, and Shadab Khan also claimed one wicket each for the men in green.

Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan take sinking ship to winning shore for Pakistan

While chasing the target, Pakistan were in trouble at a moment after losing 2 wickets at the score of 37 runs when opener Imam-ul-Haq and skipper Babar Azam went back to the Pavilion. But then came the moment when the star opener Abdullah Shafique and the in-form wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan stayed there in the middle to stitch a match-winning partnership of 176 runs for the third wicket. Both batters smashed the amazing centuries to help Pakistan win the match by 6 wickets.

Shafique scored 113 runs, with 10 fours and 3 sixes before getting out off Pathirana. Later, Mohammad Rizwan played an unbeaten and outstanding knock of 131 runs, with 8 fours and 3 sixes to cross the line for his side. Eventually, Pakistan won the match by 6 wickets to register their second consecutive win in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023.

Mohammad Rizwan won the ‘Player of the Match award for his match-defining knock of 131 runs for Pakistan from an extreme pressure situation.

Here’s how fans reacted to the record-breaking win of Pakistan over Sri Lanka:

ODI World Cup 2023 Featured Mohammad Rizwan Pakistan vs Sri Lanka