CWC 2023: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka with highest-ever World Cup run chase

WEB DESK: Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, by successfully chasing down their highest total in the tournament.

Mohammed Rizwan’s century

Mohammed Rizwan  made his first-ever ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in today’s match.

Abdullah Shafique’s century

Abdullah Shafique made the first international century of his career in the ongoing match.

He made the hundred in 97 balls.

Sri Lanka’s innings

Earlier, Sri Lanka set a target of 345 runs for Pakistan.

Sadeera Samarawickrama, while discussing Sri Lanka’s innings, said, “Really happy about the performance. I didn’t get a hundred before and I badly wanted to get one in my career. I think Pathum and Kusal batted well; my plan was to just give the strike to Kusal Mendis. In the first few overs, the wicket was really good, but in the last 15 overs, the wicket was skidding and slower balls were gripping. Pace off is a good option on this wicket.”

Pakistan have brought in Abdullah Shafique to replace out of form Fakhar Zaman. While Sri Lanka have benched Kasun Rajitha and replaced him with Maheesh Theekshana.

Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka said they opted to bat first as they saw some turn in the later part of the game in the last couple of matches. However, he added that his bowlers will need to hit the right areas and variations.

Pakistan Captain Babar Azam expressing the optimism for winning the match said the pitch looks dry and good.

Playing XI

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha

 

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