CWC2023: Heroic Rizwan takes Pakistan to epic win over Sri Lanka in a run fest

 

Pakistan scripted a sensational run chase vs Sri Lanka in the latest ODI  World cup league match . After twin tons of Kusal Mendis and  Samarwikrama Sri Lanka  piled up 344 on a placid pitch but Pakistan despite two early loss of wickets managed to chase down the big score thanks to the twin centuries of  Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique to register  an epic win .  

Rizwan needs special mention  as batting practically on one leg due to muscle cramps in the heat .  Under pressure, Dasun Shanaka's team lost due to bad fielding.  In response to Sri Lanka's 344 for 9, Pakistan scored 345 for 4 in 48.2 overs.  This is the first time that four batsmen have scored centuries in a World Cup match.  No team has won by chasing so many runs in the World Cup before.  As such, Pakistan has set a new precedent.  The previous record was held by Ireland.  In 2011, the Irish won by chasing 329 runs against England.

 The Sri Lankan captain won the toss and decided to bat first.  Shanaka was not disappointed by the team's batters.  Sri Lanka set a target of 345 runs to win against Pakistan in Hyderabad.  Two of the island nation's batsmen scored centuries.  Opener Kushal Perera failed but did not affect Sri Lanka's innings.  Another opener Pathum Nishanka scored a fluent  51 runs off 61 balls.  He hit 7 fours and 1 magnificent six.  However, the mainstays of Sri Lanka's innings were Kusal Mendis at number three and Sadira Samaravikrama at number four.  Both scored centuries in their third wicket partnership of 111 runs.  Mendis scored a breathtaking  122 runs off 77 balls laced with 14 dazzling  fours and 6 glorious sixes.  Samaravikrama's 108-run classy  innings came from 89 balls.  He decorated his sparkling innings with 11 fours and 2 sixes.  Dhananjay de Silva made 25.  No other Sri Lankan batsmen were able to score runs to speak of, but they had no trouble scoring runs to contend with.  Mendis fell ill on his way back to dressing  and had to be taken to hospital.  As a result, he could not keep the wicket.  Saramvikrama has to fulfill that responsibility.  Sri Lanka's innings ended at 344 for 9.

 Pakistan's bowlers could not take advantage of Hyderabad's batting-friendly wicket.  Meanwhile Hasan Ali grabbed attention with 4 wickets for 71 runs.  2 wickets for 64 runs by Harris Rauf.  Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan got 1 wicket each.

Pakistan did not start well in reply.  Opener Imam-ul-Haq (12) and captain Babar (10) also failed against Sri Lanka.  Another opener Abdullah Shafique and Rizwan's bat responded for Pakistan.  Abdullah made his debut in the World Cup on this day.  In that match, Pakistan lost 2 wickets for 37 runs and had to face pressure.  Coping with that pressure, the young batsman picked up his first century in one-day cricket.  He played an impeccable innings of 113 runs from 103 balls keeping a cool head.  Hit 10 fours and 3 sixes.  Not only that, he also created the possibility of the team's victory by building   a partnership of 176 runs with Rizwan for the third wicket.  Experienced Rizwan eventually scored the victory hope.  Like Mendis, he also has muscle tension while batting.  He is seen writhing in pain.  Ignoring  the pain, he was persistent in his goal.  Rizwan left the field with victory for the team.  Playing virtually on one leg, he eventually scored an incredible  unbeaten 131.  Played 121 balls.  Hit 8 fours and 3 sixes.  He also set the precedent of scoring a century in the World Cup as Pakistan's second wicketkeeper.  Earlier this precedent was only Sarfaraz Ahmed.  Rizwan was also selected as the best of the match.

 Saud Shakeel's short innings of 31 runs also played an important role for Pakistan.  Iftikhar Ahmed accompanied Rizwan at the end  who continued with great style  .  He remained unbeaten with 22 runs off 10 balls.  In the end, the Sri Lankan cricketers were under pressure in front of the aggression of the Pak batters.  They could not catch multiple easy catches.  The bowlers of Shanaka's team could not keep the line and length right.

 None of the Sri Lankan bowlers could trouble the Pak batsmen on this day.  Dilshan Madhushanka took 2 wickets with 60 runs.  Mahish Thikshana and Mathisha Pathirana got 1 wicket each.