Opener Abdullah Shafique (113, 103b, 10x4, 3x6) became the first Pakistani batter to score a century on World Cup debut in what was his fifth ODI match and a spirited Mohammad Rizwan (131 n.o., 121b, 8x4, 3x6), who battled repeated cramps, guided Pakistan to its second win in two games when it defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the World Cup at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Tuesday.
For Sri Lanka, it was a second loss in two games. It was a pity that two brilliant centuries earlier by Kusal Mendis (122, 77b, 14x4, 6x6) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (108, 89b, 11x4, 2x6) went in vain.
Pakistan, chasing 345 for victory, came back strongly after losing opener Imam-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam by the eighth over thanks to the way Shafique, who replaced the out-of-form Fakhar Zaman, and Rizwan paced the chase during their 176-run stand for the third wicket off 156 balls.
It also reflected yet another dismal show by the Sri Lankan bowlers, with even Matheesha Pathirana being hit all over. Iftikhar Ahmed hitting him for four fours in the 48th over was more than symbolic of a forgettable night for his teammates.
First instance
Earlier, the centuries by Mendis and Samarawickrama provided the first instance of two batters reaching the three-figure mark in the same innings of an ODI at this venue.
Mendis, dropped on 18 by Imam-ul-Haq at backward-point of pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi in the seventh over of the innings, made Pakistan pay a heavy price, displaying a superb blend of big hits and delectable strokes — both off pace and spin.
Nissanka and Mendis put on 102 runs off 93 balls for the second wicket before the former cut leg-spinner Shadab Khan straight to the fielder in the 18th over.
Later, Mendis, who reached his century in style with a massive six off pacer Hasan Ali, and Samarawickrama put on 111 runs for the third wicket off 69 balls, making the bowling look ordinary.
Mendis finally departed, after hitting two consecutive sixes off Hasan Ali, smartly caught by Imam near the midwicket boundary in the 29th over.
Quality death bowling
However, it was quality death bowling by Pakistan, with Hasan completing a four-wicket haul, which saw Sri Lanka restricted to 344 for nine after scoring 315 for three in 45 overs. This effort proved to be decisive in the final analysis.
The match also saw the third instance of centuries by two batters from each side in a single game in ODI history.
New high
Pakistan also earned the distinction of registering the highest successful chase in the history of the World Cup, eclipsing Ireland’s effort (329 for seven in 49.1 overs against England - 327 for eight in 50 overs) in Bengaluru in the 2011 edition.
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