Cricket

Rizwan, Shafique star in Pakistan’s record World Cup chase

By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: It was a demonstration of craftsmanship from Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique who cracked glorious centuries to enable Pakistan thump Sri Lanka by six wickets in their second match of the ICC World Cup on Hyderabad, India, on Tuesday.
This was also Pakistan’s second win from two matches following their massive win against the Netherlands.
Chasing a record 345-run total Pakistan struggled in the first ten overs, losing wickets of Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam early. However Shafique and Rizwan kept their cool, knowing well that their long stay at the wicket was the only solution to the task on hand. They showed their character, kept rotating the strike with some major strokes in between that tilted the pressure towards the Sri Lankans who had posted a massive total of 344 thanks to centuries from Kisal Mendis (122) and Sadeera (108).
The duo put on 176 off 156 for the third wicket which eventually won the much-needed win for Pakistan.
Rizwan, who had also scored 68 against the Netherlands, also faced some cramps and was seen limping but he in fact was the danger man for the Sri Lankan bowlers whose efforts to defend a massive total proved futile as Pakistan completed the record chase with ten balls to spare.
After the fall of Shafique Rizwan continued to take the centre stage and added 95 off 68 balls with Said Shakeel before knitting 37 off 23 with Iftikhar Ahmed to make his side home safely.
Rizwan was adjudged as many of the match for his super innings.

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