Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique clubbed centuries as Pakistan chased down the highest target in World Cup history to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
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The diminutive Rizwan overcame leg cramps to score a 121-ball 131 not out while Shafique hit a 103-ball 113 as Pakistan overhauled their 345-run target in 48.2 overs.
The victory gives Pakistan two wins in as many games and a huge boost in confidence ahead of their high-profile clash against India in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
“Always proud when you perform like that. It was difficult and when you chase like that, it’s special,” said Rizwan.
“Every player in the dressing room had the belief we can chase that.”
On his cramping, he said: “Sometimes cramps, sometimes acting!”
Sri Lanka’s imposing total of 344-9 was built around brilliant hundreds from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama.
“I thought with the way the wicket behaved, we were 20-25 runs short,” said Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka.
Rizwan cracked eight boundaries and three sixes while Shafique’s knock had ten boundaries and three sixes as Pakistan improved on the previous highest World Cup chase of 328 by Ireland against England in Bangalore in 2011.
Here’s how social media reacted to Pakistan’s victory:
Mohammad Rizwan is just a class player and a class act. Wonderful century.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 10, 2023
Kya phainta lagaya. Highest successful WC chase. Brilliant from Pakistan after losing 2 early wickets. Shafique was calm and elegant and Rizwan showing why he is so reliable. Sri Lankan bowling was all over the place and too many extras. #PAKvSL
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 10, 2023
When Rizwan started cramping up, SriLanka would have known they were in trouble.
What a game! What a win for Pakistan! #ICCCricketWorldCup #PAKvSL— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) October 10, 2023
We got to see 5 centuries today but Rizwan stole the show with his act #PAKvSL #CWC2023 pic.twitter.com/3jKmeQLBq5
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) October 10, 2023
Shafique has made the most of the opportunity…now, twice over. Looks solid against pace. Comfortable again at spin.
Rizwan is a fabulous cricketer…adversity brings the best out of him. Superb run-chase by Pakistan. Sets up nicely for the 14th #CWC23— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 10, 2023
” ‘ , ‘ “#CWC23 | #PAKvSL | #LetsPlaySaeen pic.twitter.com/s7Rabcrw5V
— Multan Sultans (@MultanSultans) October 10, 2023
R for Respect. R for Rizwan pic.twitter.com/HTIPtRZtoT
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) October 10, 2023
With inputs from AFP
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