Pakistan clinched their second-consecutive victory in the 2023 World Cup, exhibiting terrific batting prowess as they effectively chased down a bold goal of 345 towards Sri Lanka in a exciting come across at Hyderabad. The Pakistan batters, Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique, delivered wonderful centuries that propelled their group to a brilliant six-wicket win.
Sri Lanka regarded to be in a dominant role after Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama notched up centuries, placing an imposing goal of 345. However, Pakistan’s response was once nothing brief of remarkable. Mohammad Rizwan’s unbeaten 131 and Abdullah Shafique’s 113 helped Pakistan create records as they finished the perfect profitable run-chase in World Cup history, surpassing Ireland’s preceding report of 329 towards England in 2011.
One of the defining second of the in shape came in the thirty seventh over when Rizwan, on the 0.33 ball, charged down the song and launched a transport over long-off for a maximum. The jubilation of the hit used to be short-lived as Rizwan fell to the floor in pain. In fact, Simon Doull, who used to be on commentary obligations all through the moment, could not suppressed a chuckle as Rizwan fell in a alternatively animated trend proper after the six, even announcing that the Pakistan batter need to “get into the movies.”
Following the game, Doull requested Rizwan about his cramps and the wicketkeeper-batter surpassed a sheepish smile earlier than saying, “sometimes it is cramps, once in a while it is acting.”
After a shaky start, with Pakistan at 37 for two in simply 7.2 overs – thanks to Dilshan Madushanka’s gorgeous bowling – the younger Abdullah Shafique, in solely his fifth ODI appearance, displayed notable maturity. Alongside Mohammad Rizwan, the duo helped Pakistan recover, bringing up the team’s century in the nineteenth over. Shafique, who changed Fakhar Zaman in the lineup, notched his fifty off fifty eight balls, and their partnership reached 138 for two at the midway mark.
In the thirty second over, Shafique reached his maiden ODI century, whilst Rizwan persevered to pile on the runs, hitting two sixes in consecutive balls in the thirty fourth over. A diving seize finally ended Shafique’s notable innings, however Sri Lanka’s hopes of a comeback had been dashed. Despite some late catches and wickets, Rizwan and Saud Shakeel endured to convey Pakistan nearer to victory. In the end, Iftikhar Ahmed smashed three fours, sealing the win for Pakistan.