By: Adeel Khursheed
In a thrilling encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad, the 8th Match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 showcased an intense battle between Sri Lanka and Pakistan on October 10th.
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. They posted a competitive total of 344/9 in their allotted 50 overs. The standout performances came from Kusal Mendis, who displayed his batting prowess with an exceptional century, scoring 122 runs off just 77 balls. Sadeera Samarawickrama also made a significant contribution, notching up 108 runs. Hasan Ali was the star with the ball for Pakistan, claiming 4 crucial wickets for 71 runs.
In response, Pakistan showed their prowess in the chase, eventually reaching 345/4 in 48.2 overs. Abdullah Shafique was the top scorer for Pakistan, displaying excellent form with a solid 113 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan played a match-winning, unbeaten innings of 131 runs. Pakistan’s batting was dominant, and they comfortably secured victory.
The Player of the Match was undoubtedly Mohammad Rizwan, who not only impressed with his batting but also displayed excellent fielding skills by taking 3 catches during the game.
With this victory, Pakistan earned a valuable 2 points in the ICC Cricket World Cup, while Sri Lanka couldn’t manage to secure any points in this exciting contest. The match was a testament to the high-quality cricket on display in this prestigious tournament.