Pakistan record highest successful run-chase in World Cup history: Stats
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in match number eight of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. They defied all odds to chase 346, now the highest successful run-chase in World Cup history. Opener Abdullah Shafique slammed a historic century, while Mohammad Rizwan got Pakistan home with a ton. Earlier, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis hammered tons for SL.
A look at the match summary
SL ost Kusal Perera early after electing to bat. However, Pathum Nissanka and Mendis shared a 102-run stand. Mendis went on to score a sturdy century, while Sadeera's ton took the Lankans past 300 (344/9). Hasan Ali took a four-fer. While Pakistan's Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam departed early, Shafique and Babar propelled Pakistan past 200. Rizwan completed the run-chase despite Shafique's dismissal.
World Cup: Pakistan 8-0 Sri Lanka
Pakistan maintain their dominance over Sri Lanka in the World Cup. They have defeated SL for a record eighth time without ever losing. Overall as well, Pakistan have an unassailable lead over the Lankans in ODI cricket. Both teams have played 157 matches against each other, from which Pakistan mustered 93 victories in comparison to SL's 59 wins.
Shafique slams his maiden ODI ton
Opener Shafique remained unscathed as Pakistan lost Imam and skipper Babar for just 37 runs. He didn't let the Lankans mount further pressure and played a defiant knock. Shafique took Pakistan past 150 along with Rizwan. The former reached his maiden ODI century off 97 balls in the 32nd over. He smacked a 103-ball 113 (10 fours and 3 sixes).
First Pakistani to score century on World Cup debut
As per statistician Bharath Seervi, Shafique has become the first Pakistan player to score a century on World Cup debut. He broke the record of Mohsin Khan, who previously held the highest score for Pakistan on World Cup debut (82 v Sri Lanka, 1983).
Shafique attains these feats
As per Cricbuzz, Shafique has become the fourth Pakistan batter to score a century against Sri Lanka in the World Cup. Imran Khan (1983), Javed Miandad, (1987), and Saleem Malik (1987) are the others. At 23 years and 324 days, Shafique is the second-youngest Pakistani to score a ton in the World Cup. Imam tops this tally (at 23y 195d vs BAN, 2019).
Rizwan slams his maiden WC ton through pain
Rizwan arrived after Pakistan lost Imam and skipper Babar for 37 runs. However, he played with his usual attacking intent and kept the scoreboard ticking. Rizwan kept on batting despite struggling with cramps in the second half. The former reached his third ODI century off just 97 balls in the 42nd over. He smacked 7 fours and 2 sixes en route to his ton.
The highest successful run-chase in WC history
As mentioned, Pakistan have registered the highest successful run-chase in World Cup history. Ireland previously held this record. They stunned England by chasing a record 328 in the 2011 World Cup in Bengaluru. It is worth noting that Pakistan never chased down a target of more than 270 runs in a World Cup match before this match.
Second-fastest to 3,000 ODI runs
Although Imam got dismissed for nine, he attained a massive feat. Imam, who scored a century on his ODI debut in 2017, raced past 3,000 runs in 67 innings of 68 ODIs. Only South Africa's Hashim Amla (57 innings) has accomplished the feat faster. Imam joined Fakhar Zaman and West Indies's Shai Hope, who also took 67 innings to reach the landmark.
Mendis slams a 65-ball ton
SL's Mendis came to the middle after Perera departed for a four-ball duck. The former added 102 runs with Nissanka to get the Lankans past 100. Although Perera lost his way, Mendis then joined forces with Sadeera. Mendis reached his third ODI century off just 65 deliveries in the 27th over. He smashed 13 fours and 4 sixes en route to his ton.
The fastest WC ton by a SL batter
Mendis now has the fastest century by a Sri Lankan player in the World Cup (65 balls). The right-handed batter surpassed SL legend Kumar Sangakkara, who smashed a 70-ball ton against England in the 2015 World Cup. Notably, Sangakkara also holds the third spot on this list. He slammed a 73-ball century against Bangladesh in the same edition.
The fastest ton against Pakistan in World Cup
According to cricket statistician Rajneesh Gupta, Mendis's 65-ball ton is now the fastest against Pakistan in the World Cup. It is also the third-fastest century against Pakistan in ODI cricket.
More feats for Mendis
Mendis's 122 is now the second-highest score by a SL wicket-keeper in the World Cup. Sangakkara, who slammed 124 against Scotland in 2015 in Hobart, occupies the top spot. Mendis has now joined the elite list of players to have scored an ODI hundred as a designated wicket-keeper for Sri Lanka. He also recorded the highest ODI score by a SL wicket-keeper against Pakistan.
Maiden ODI ton for Sadeera
Sadeera announced his arrival after SL lost their second wicket for 107 runs. While Mendis launched his counter-attack, Sadeera duly assisted him. This took the Lankans past 200 before the 30-over mark. The latter accelerated after Mendis departed, having shared a 50+ stand with Dhananjaya de Silva. Sadeera reached his maiden ODI century off 82 balls. He smashed an 89-ball 108.
Second WC four-fer for Hasan Ali
Pacer Hasan was the pick of Pakistan bowlers, who remained expensive. He took his first wicket in the form of Perera in his very first over. The Pakistan seamer next dismissed Charith Asalanka for one. Hasan then got rid of the two centurions, Mendis and Sadeera. The Pakistan pacer took four wickets for 71 runs in 10 overs. It was his second WC four-fer.
Highest ODI score by a Pakistan wicket-keeper
Although Rizwan lost Shafique in the 45th over, Rizwan didn't perish and guided Pakistan to victory. He scored an unbeaten 131 off 121 balls, a knock laced with 8 fours and 3 sixes. As per Cricbuzz, this is now the highest score by a Pakistan wicket-keeper in ODIs. He broke the record of Kamran Akmal, who smashed 124 against West Indies in 2005.
A look at other notable numbers
Rizwan has become only the second Pakistan wicket-keeper to score a World Cup ton. He now has the second-most tons by a Pakistani wicket-keeper in ODIs. He went past Sarfaraz Ahmed (two tons). Rizwan and Shafique added 176 runs, the highest partnership for Pakistan for any wicket in the World Cup. Saeed Anwar and W Wasti (194 vs NZ, 1999) hold the top spot.
