World Cup 2023: Rizwan (131*), Shafique (113) spur Pakistan to record chase against Sri Lanka

Pakistan superbly chased a World Cup record 345 to beat Sri Lanka in the game of the 2023 tournament so far in Hyderabad.

At 37-2 their target seemed a long way off, but a superb partnership of 176 off 156 balls between Abdullah Shafique and Muhammad Rizwan laid the platform.

Shafique, who came into the team for Fakhar Zaman, made 113 off 103 balls before being caught at point, but Rizwan and Saud Shakeel then shared 95 for the fourth wicket.

Rizwan received treatment on a back injury, and cramp in his calf, but battled through the pain in heroic style.

The wicketkeeper finished unbeaten on 131 from 121 balls, and overcame the dismissal of Shakeel for 31, to hit the winning run and see his side home alongside Iftikhar Ahmed (22*) with 10 balls to spare.

Sri Lanka made 344-9 from their 50 overs with Kusal Mendis smashing a brilliant 122 off 77 balls and Sadeera Samarawickrama 108 off 89.

The match is the first in World Cup history to have four centuries.

Pakistan have won their first two matches, while Sri Lanka have lost both theirs.

In Tuesday’s other World Cup match England recovered from their opening-game defeat with an emphatic 137-run win over Bangladesh.

Wednesday’s World Cup action pits hosts India against Afghanistan in Delhi. (BBC Sport)