Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan’s charismatic knocks at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium have helped Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six wickets. Batting first, the Lankan Lions are all over Pakistan’s bowling unit, with Kusal Mendis dominating. Batting at number three, Mendis hit a scintillating century as all Pakistan bowlers looked clueless. Sadeera Samarawickrama followed the suit and hit a century as well. Courtesy of their incredible performances, the Dasun Shanaka-led side posted 344 runs in the first innings.
Sri Lanka started well with the ball. They sent Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam rather early and were cruising for a victory but that’s when Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan stepped up and changed the complexion of the game. The duo hit a century each as the Lankan bowlers looked clueless in the middle. They eventually secured a famous win as Pakistan registered the highest chase in ODI World Cup history!
Talking points of the game:
Sri Lankan batters walking the walk
Ahead of the ODI World Cup, Pakistan’s bowling unit was considered to be one of the best. However, Kusal Mendis managed to hit 122 runs while Sadeera Samarawickrama hit 108 runs, which helped the team post a massive total. Against a strong bowling unit, the Lankan batters showed a lot of character and that’s a massive positive for the team going forward.
X-factors of Pakistan
Babar Azam is often called the King but Mohammad Rizwan has been the X-factor for the team as of late. He has been sensational and managed to hit 131* runs to get the job done for his team. Abdullah Shafique has been another force to reckon with as he hit a century as well.
Difference in planning
Despite a good start, Sri Lankan middle order batters couldn’t capitalise. They gave away wickets for fun and that’s a massive concern going forward. That is one area where Pakistan managed to get the job done. Despite two early dismissals, Pakistan managed to keep their calm and were rotating the strike well - something that Sri Lanka lanked.
Losing skipper Dasun Shanaka said:
Mendis is in another zone, played an unbelievable knock in the practice game, scored 70+ in the first game and a brilliant hundred here. Moire to come. Sadeera is playing really well. We should have finished a bit stronger than this. We were 20-25 runs short on this wicket. Credit to them, they were bowling really good slower balls. I can't ask too much from them (bowlers). We have given them simple plans. We need to be concerned about the extras as well. We gave too many extras. We had our chances in the field as well, we missed a lot today.
Winning skipper Babar Azam said:
All credit to the boys, especially Abdullah and Rizwan, the way they built the pressure and put pressure on Sri Lanka. We weren't up to the mark in the first 20-30 overs. All credit to Mendis, he played an outstanding knocks. We finished well, all credit to the bowlers. (On Shafique) Very happy with the way he's playing. This is his first World Cup. His hunger to play, I saw him in the nets so I decided to play him. The way Rizwan and Abdullah built the partnership, they helped us.
POTM Mohammad Rizwan said:
Always a proud moment for me whenever you perform for your country. I am speechless at this moment. It was difficult. The thing was that after the bowling innings we went back and everyone was confident. We lost Babar Azam unfortunately. It's a good track, was supporting to us. I told Shafique to take it at step by step. Sometimes cramps and sometimes I was okay (chuckles).
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