ICC World Cup 2023: It’s a Punchy Pak show!

Pakistan’s batter Abdullah Shafique (left) greeted by teammate Mohd Rizwan on completing his ton v SL in Hyderabad yesterday. Pic/PTI

Pakistan's dominance over Sri Lanka continues in the World Cup. The brilliant third-wicket duo of Abdullah Shafique (113, 103 balls, 10x4, 3x6) and a limping gladiator Mohammad Rizwan (131 not out, 121 balls, 8x4, 3x6) set up a thrilling six-wicket win over luckless Sri Lanka at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here in Uppal. Rizwan stayed till the end to blow away the Lankans.

With Tuesday's victory, it is eight out of eight now for Pakistan against the islanders in the World Cup.

Also Read: ICC World Cup 2023 | ENG vs BAN: England defeats Bangladesh by 137 runs

Lankan guns fire

The victory overshadowed the sterling show of Kusal Mendis (122, 77 balls, 14x4, 6x6) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (108, 89 balls, 11x4, 2x6), the two wicket keeper-batters. Lanka posted 344 for 9 and that was not good enough as Pakistan coasted home in 48.2 overs. As many as 689 runs were scored in the match.

The Babar Azam-led team also continued the winning streak with back-to-back wins at this venue. Yet again, the Lankan bowlers faltered on a flat wicket to give away the match to Pakistan, who thus avenged their Asia Cup defeat in emphatic fashion. Their next destination is Ahmedabad where they run into their arch-rivals India. Sri Lanka slipped into a second successive loss. The game had several twists before Shafique and Rizwan swung the match in favour of Pakistan.

Left-arm seamer Dilshan Madhushanka gave a perfect start for Lanka by removing Imam-ul-Haq and the dangerous Babar Azam, who was caught on the leg side, by the eighth over.

Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan rallied Pakistan's chase. They provided a masterclass display with the willow in the run chase.

Drives and pulls galore

They marvelled with their drives and pull shots to push the Lankans to a corner. Rizwan gave another stupendous display. The two added 176 runs in 156 balls. A brilliant diving catch by substitute fielder Dushan Hemantha at point ended Shafique's innings. The 23-year-old became the first Pakistani to score a century in this World Cup. But there was a cause of concern for Pakistan when Rizwan suffered cramps. The battling batter slammed a six before collapsing on the ground, but went on to complete a stunning century. For the third time there were four centurions in an ODI.

Earlier, Mendis offered nothing less than a batting exhibition of the highest class in front of a 23.000-plus crowd. Mendis, who was fearless and adventurous, tamed the famous Pakistani pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf.

The 28-year-old, who slammed a 42-ball 76 in the losing cause against South Africa, was lucky though when Imam grassed a sitter at point off Afridi. The batter was on 18. But after that, Mendis was at his ebullient best.

Mendis and opener Pathun Nissanka (51) built the Lanka innings with a 102-run stand. Pakistan bowlers wilted under pressure as Kusal made merry along with Samarawickrama. The duo realised 111 runs in 69 balls. Samarawickrama controlled the innings beautifully after Mendis's departure, to become the second centurion of the day. He was decisive in his strokeplay during his cool and calculated innings. Samarawickrama ensured a 300-plus total for Lanka.

Hasan took four wickets, but leaked 71 runs. Afridi went for 66 while Rauf was hit for 64 runs as the Pakistan attack looked ordinary.

Brief scores
Sri Lanka 344-9 in 50 overs (K Mendis 122, S Samarawickrama 108, P Nissanka 51; H Ali 4-71, H Rauf 2-64) lost to Pakistan 345-4 in 48.2 overs (A Shafique 113, M Rizwan 131', S Shakeel 31; D Madushanka 2-60) by 6 wickets