CWC2023::Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in record Cricket World Cup run chase.

Delhi: In a record-breaking Cricket World Cup run chase, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets because of hundreds from Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique.

Tuesday saw Pakistan successfully chase down a target of 345 in 48.2 overs, surpassing Ireland’s previous record of 328 set when they shocked England at the 2011 World Cup. Rizwan scored an unbeaten 131 and Shafique made 113.

Earlier, Kusal Mendis smashed the fastest century for Sri Lanka in a World Cup match on his way to 122 while Sadeera Samarawickrama hit an 89-ball 108. Mendis hit 14 fours and six sixes, including a flicked six over mid-wicket against Pakistan’s best bowler of the day – Hasan Ali (4-71) – that brought up his century off 65 balls.

Hasan Ali (4-71) ultimately dismissed both Sri Lanka centurions and, along with the help of Haris Rauf (2-64) and Shaheen Afridi (1-66), helped drag Pakistan back into the contest as the innings sputtered to a finish.

With Sri Lanka in a superb position at 294-4 after 41 overs, Mohammad Nawaz (1-62) first removed Dhananjaya de Silva (25) to start the 42nd, triggering a run of five wickets for only 50 runs in the final nine overs.

In reply, Pakistan slipped to 37-2 inside eight overs as they lost Imam-ul-Haq (12) and captain Babar Azam (10) cheaply – both accounted for by Dilshan Madushanka (2-60).

But that only brought Shafique and Rizwan together at the crease, the pair promptly putting on 176 together for the third wicket, with Shafique going through to a maiden ODI hundred in just his fifth match.