The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
With that we come to the end of our coverage. A high scoring encounter goes in favour of Paksitan as we conclude our first nail-biting encounter of the tournament. Tomorrow a tricky clash awaits for India against Afghanistan at Kotla. So do not forget to join our coverage. Till then this is Raghav signing off alongside Soorya and Arya. Thank you for tuning in!
Kusal Mendis has been in the form of his life. He smashed the Pakistan bowlers to all corners of the park en route to a sensational knock of 122 off 77 deliveries. Sportskeeda's very own Shashwat has compiled an article on his blistering form. Check 👇 to read the piece.
Babar Azam: All credit to the boys. Abdullah and Rizwan, the way they built the pressure and put pressure on Sri Lanka. We weren't up to the mark in the first 20-30 overs. Credit to Mendis, he played an outstanding innings. We finished well, credit to the bowlers. First World Cup for him (Shafique). He looked good in the nets and I decided to play him. He has the hunger for runs. I think the way Rizwan and him played they helped us with the partnership. Good for us, the middle order has stepped up and just believe in ourselves. (On the Hyderabad crowd) Thank you so much for the support over the last week and a half.
Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka captain): Mendis, the form he has been in, he is in another zone. He played an unbelievable knock in the practice game and here again he was brilliant. He will have a big tournament and even Sadeera played a special knock. Ofcourse, I thought with the way the wicket behaved, it was 20-25 runs short. Credit to them as well. They were bowling slower balls and the pitch was helping them during the day time. I cant ask too much from them. I have given simple task to them. Bowling in tight areas, we gave away too much extras to my concern,. Ofcourse, the only way to go forward is keep encouraging the youngsters.
Mohammad Rizwan (Player of the Match, here is what he had to say): Always a proud moment for me whenever you perform for your country. I am speechless at this moment. It was difficult. The thing was that after the bowling innings we went back and everyone was confident. We lost Babar Azam unfortunately. It's a good track and we decided to take our time. I told Shafique to take it at step by step. Sometimes cramps and sometimes it was acting (laughs).
Pakistan 348/4 in 48.2 overs def Sri Lanka by 6 wickets. Mohammad Rizwan 134*(121) | Abdullah Shafique 113(103) Dilshan Madushanka 2/63(9.2)
What a win, what a win for Pakistan! Chasing 345 was never going to be an easy task but doing so after losing two early wickets was even more incredible on Pakistan's part. They have now recorded the best ever run chase in the men's ODI World Cup history.
With Theekshana's return, scoring in the powerplay was not quite easy for Pakistan. Imam and Babar went out cheaply leaving rest of the team in deep trouble. Sri Lanka were on top. However, Shafique and Rizwan regrouped the innings. They minimized the risks and took on the part-timers.
The scoring rate kept going up with every passing over and Sri Lanka were running out of answers. Once Shafique reached his century, it looked like Pakistan's game but losing him soon after the milestone put them under pressure again. Rizwan started cramping and it looked like Sri Lanka could just get right back into the tie.
However, Rizwan batted through his cramps and did not let Pakistan fall back. Sloppy effort from Sri Lanka on the field and some reckless bowling also helped Pakistan big time. Shakeel departed late into the run chase but he did his job by supporting Rizwan with a decent 30 odd.
Sri Lanka will need to have a serious discussion in the dressing room. Pathirana and Dhananjaya in particular will not be happy with their efforts. A total of 25 wides and a no ball is very shambolic for a World Cup game.
48.2 Dilshan Madushanka to Mohammad Rizwan, FOUR! Rizwan wins it for Pakistan. On a good-length a shade outside off, eased away on the up past the cover-point fielder and it trickles away to the fence. Record has been broken. The highest ever run chase in 48 year World Cup history.
48.1 Dilshan Madushanka to Mohammad Rizwan, a low full toss a shade outside off, flicked away straight to the midwicket fielder.
Dilshan Madushanka [9.0-0-59-2] is back into the attack
Nothing short of a nightmare for Pathirana. Pakistan are almost home and they will have plenty of positves from this tie.
48
overs
344/4score
4
4
1wd
4
1
4
1
runs
Mohammad Rizwan*
130(119)
Iftikhar Ahmed
22(10)
Matheesha Pathirana
1/90
47.6 Matheesha Pathirana to Mohammad Rizwan, digs out the yorker-length delivery around the middle stump towards the widish long-on region, was looking for a couple but settles for a single in the end. Just one more needed to win for Pakistan.
47.5 Mateesha Pathirana to Mohammad Rizwan, FOUR! Rizwan marching on. Back of a length slower delivery outside off, that sat up nicely and Rizwan in total control of that swipe across the line.Played away right in the gap towards the square leg region.
47.4 Matheesha Pathirana to Iftikhar Ahmed, low full toss around the middle stump, worked away down the ground towards the long-off region and takes a single.
47.3 Matheesha Pathirana to Iftikhar Ahmed, FOUR! Pathirana has been taken to the cleaners. A floater outside off, overpitched delivery and Iftikhar crunches it all along the carpet, speeds past the cover region and races away to the fence.
47.3 Matheesha Pathirana to Iftikhar Ahmed, back of a length delivery well wide outside off and that has to be reloaded.
47.2 Matheesha Pathirana to Iftikhar Ahmed, FOUR! A leading edge this time and it flies just over the short third man fielder for a fence. Was a slower low full toss on the stumps, Iftikhar was a bit too early into the attempted flick.
47.1 Matheesha Pathirana to Iftikhar Ahmed, FOUR! Pathirana goes for the yorker and ends up bowling a full one, Iftikhar Ahmed stays deep in his crease and goes straight down the ground. Shows full face of the bat and one bounce off to the fence.
Matheesha Pathirana [8.0-0-71-1] is back into the attack
Video
;'/></svg>)
B Azam
;'/></svg>){kind=small}
Mohammad Rizwan
*
Matheesha Pathirana
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
