CWC 2023. 8th Match. Pakistan VS Sri Lanka 
Played at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad, India on 10 October 2023
Sri Lanka 344/9 (Kushal Mendis 122, Sadeera Samrawickrama 108, Dhananjaya de Silva 25, Hasan Ali 4/71, Harris Rauf 2/64) 
Pakistan 345/4 in 48.2 Over (Mohammad Rizwan 131*, Abdullah Shafique 113, Saud Shakeel 31, Iftikhar Ahmed 22*) 
Pakistan won by 6 wickets with 10 balls to spare
Player of the match: Mohammad Rizwan

Achieving a successful chase of its highest-ever target, Pakistan kept its winning streak of CWC 2023 beating Sri Lanka by 6 wickets at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad on Tuesday (October 10). 

Sri Lanka for the second match in succession lost despite scoring over 300 in either match. Rajiv Gandhi stadium proved lucky for Pakistan. They now need to iron its resources before appearing in the blockbuster encounter against traditional rival India on 14th October at Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad. Sri Lanka will play against Australia on 16 October at Lucknow. 

Pakistan comfortably won their first match against ICC associate member Netherlands in their first match. Sri Lanka had to digest huge milestone setting 428/5 score by South Africa (three protea batsmen scored century) in their first match. Scoring 326 in reply they lost by 102 runs. 

Yesterday winning the toss and electing to bat Lankans had an early set back losing Kushal Perera at 5. But Nishanka (51) and Kushal Mendis (122) playing superbly turned the tide adding 102 in the 2nd wicket partnership. Keeping the momentum going Mendis and Samarawickrama (108) then added 111 for the 3rd wicket. A solid platform was set for a huge score. But Hasan Ali and Rauf making repeated strikes ensured that Sri Lanka did not completely bat Pakistan out of the match. Still 344/9 that Sri Lanka scored by no means was a competitive score. Pakistan was challenged to chase and win their highest ever target. 

Pakistan’s task was made even harder as Lankans managed removing Imam ul Haq and Babar Azam with only 37 on board. Abdullah Shafique (113) pairing with Mohammad Riwan (131*) shouldered Pakistan and adding 176 for the 3rd wicket partnership set the platform. It was a great relief for Pakistan with Abdullah Shafique batting well at the top. But the real hero was Rizwan. His dynamic innings of 131 not out punctuated with 8 fours and 3 sixes led Pakistan overhauling the steep target of 345. Apart from Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel (31) and Iftikhar Ahmed (22*) also lend him with great support. Rizwan battled not only against Lankan bowlers but also his cramp. He was virtually limping at the later part of his innings. 345 is the highest target that Pakistan successfully chased in ODI. 

With two in two Pakistan is well on course. But before meeting with formidable they will wish that their X factor with the ball and bat Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam get out of lean patch and fielding improves a great deal. Sri Lanka must also reassess their bowling resources. Scoring over 300 runs in their two matches they lost both by huge

BDST: 0904 HRS, OCT 11, 2023 
SMS