In a thrilling cricket encounter that unfolded in Hyderabad, Sri Lanka managed to post a formidable total of 345 runs, laying down a challenge that Pakistan would have to chase down in the 2023 ODI World Cup. As the game progressed, it became clear that this match would be one for the record books.
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| Muhammad Rizwan |
Pakistan’s chase began with a rocky start as they lost their opener, Imam-ul-Haq, early in the innings. To make matters worse, their captain, Babar Azam, was dismissed for a low score, intensifying the pressure on the team. However, this challenging situation was met head-on by Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan, who joined forces to stabilize Pakistan’s innings.
After the initial phase of the innings, when fielding restrictions were lifted, Shafique and Rizwan accelerated, forging a remarkable partnership that spanned 176 runs. Abdullah Shafique, who had been brought into the team in place of Fakhar Zaman for this match, repaid the faith placed in him by scoring his maiden ODI century. Meanwhile, Rizwan was in sublime form, displaying fluent batting and ultimately reaching his third ODI century. Saud Shakeel and Iftikhar Ahmed also played their parts, offering valuable contributions as Pakistan inched closer to the target.
With ten balls to spare and six wickets in hand, Pakistan pulled off a stunning victory, cementing their reputation for successfully chasing down high totals.
In contrast, Sri Lanka’s performance during the match had two distinct phases. They started strongly with the ball, thanks to Dilshan Madushanka’s early breakthroughs. Madushanka’s dismissals of Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam had Pakistan reeling early on. However, once the first powerplay concluded, Sri Lanka struggled to maintain the pressure, and this allowed Pakistan to gain the upper hand. The spinners in Sri Lanka’s lineup failed to make a significant impact, and Dasun Shanaka, the Sri Lankan captain, found himself running out of bowling options during the middle phase of the innings.
Sri Lanka did manage to create a glimmer of hope when Dushan Hemantha pulled off a spectacular catch to dismiss Abdullah Shafique. However, they were unable to capitalize on this breakthrough, as Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel’s partnership proved to be a match-winning one for Pakistan.
In the initial innings, Sri Lanka, after winning the toss and electing to bat, suffered an early setback when Kusal Perera was dismissed. However, Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka displayed resilience and skill, laying down a solid foundation for their team. Both Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama went on to score centuries, providing Sri Lanka with a strong platform. While they couldn’t finish their innings as strongly as they would have hoped, their centuries had already done enough to push Sri Lanka’s total to a formidable level.
From Pakistan’s perspective, Hasan Ali stood out with the ball, despite being a bit on the expensive side, as he managed to claim four crucial wickets. Haris Rauf contributed with two wickets, while Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz each chipped in with one wicket apiece.
The standout performer of the match, Mohammad Rizwan, was rightfully named the Player of the Match for his outstanding innings of 131 runs from 121 balls. He emphasized the importance of building partnerships and praised Abdullah Shafique for their collaborative effort during the chase.
Sri Lanka’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, expressed his appreciation for the brilliant centuries scored by Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama but noted his disappointment in not finishing their innings more strongly. He believed that his team fell short by about 30 runs and credited Pakistan’s bowlers for their performance. Shanaka also acknowledged the need to address the issue of extras conceded by the bowling side.
Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan, expressed his gratitude to the almighty and credited the bowlers, Abdullah Shafique, and Mohammad Rizwan for the victory. He admitted that Pakistan’s performance in the first 30 overs of the match was subpar but commended Kusal Mendis for his exceptional innings. Babar Azam also appreciated Abdullah Shafique for seizing the opportunity and performing brilliantly. He emphasized the significance of other players stepping up, particularly when the top order faces difficulties. Azam thanked the crowd for their support and extended his appreciation to the curators for preparing excellent pitches. With two wins in two matches, Pakistan’s morale received a significant boost.
Despite their initial struggles with the ball and lapses in fielding, Pakistan’s convincing chase of a challenging target marked a memorable day in the world of cricket. In contrast, Sri Lanka faced questions about their inexperienced bowling lineup, and they now find themselves needing a strong comeback in the tournament.
This high-scoring encounter witnessed Pakistan achieving the highest successful chase in ODI World Cup history and the second-highest successful chase by Pakistan in ODIs overall. It also marked the highest successful chase by any team against Sri Lanka in ODIs, making it a match that will be remembered by cricket enthusiasts for years to come.
Highest Successful Run Chases in ODI World Cup History
| Team | Runs Chased | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 345 | Sri Lanka | Hyderabad, 2023* | 2023 |
| Ireland | 328 | England | Bengaluru, 2011 | 2011 |
| Bangladesh | 322 | West Indies | Taunton, 2019 | 2019 |
| Bangladesh | 319 | Scotland | Nelson, 2015 | 2015 |
| Sri Lanka | 313 | Zimbabwe | New Plymouth, 1992 | 1992 |
Highest scores for Pakistan wicketkeepers in ODIs
| Score | Player | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 131* | Mohammad Rizwan | SL | Hyderabad | 2023* |
| 124 | Kamran Akmal | WI | Brisbane | 2005 |
| 116* | Kamran Akmal | AUS | Abu Dhabi | 2009 |
| 115 | Mohammad Rizwan | AUS | Sharjah | 2019* |
Most hundreds scored in an ODI match
| Hundreds | Teams | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | PAK vs AUS | Lahore | 1998 |
| 4 | IND vs AUS | Nagpur | 2013 |
| 4 | PAK vs SL (WC) | Hyderabad | 2023* |
Most wins against a team without any loss in WC
| Wins | Team |
|---|---|
| 8 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka |
| 7 | India vs Pakistan |
| 6 | West Indies vs Zimbabwe |
Highest scores for Pakistan in ODI World Cups
| Score | Player | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 160 | Imran Nazir | ZIM | Kingston | 2007 |
| 131* | Mohammad Rizwan | SL | Hyderabad (WC) | 2023* |
| 119* | Rameez Raja | NZ | Christchurch | 1992 |
| 114 | Aamer Sohail | ZIM | Hobart | 1992 |
Pakistan achieved a historic run chase of 345 runs against Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup, with Mohammad Rizwan’s scintillating century leading the charge. Sri Lanka’s strong start and centuries from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama set a challenging target, but Pakistan’s resilient batting secured a thrilling victory.
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