The finest match of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 was played in Hyderabad on Tuesday, October 10, between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. September 27 saw the arrival of Babar Azam and Company at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The ‘Men in Green’ have since participated in two warm-up matches at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium against New Zealand and Australia in preparation for their World Cup 2023 matchups against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.
With six wickets remaining, Pakistan ended their stay in Hyderabad by successfully chasing down 345 against Sri Lanka. The previous world champions stopped for photos with the ground crew at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium before heading off the field. Pakistan’s two victories over Sri Lanka and the Netherlands allowed them to secure four vital points because of the venue’s excellent batting grounds.
Now, on Saturday, October 14, the Asian heavyweights will travel to Ahmedabad to play their bitter foes, India, at the world’s largest cricket venue, Narendra Modi venue.
Dasun Shanaka won the toss and chose to bat first in the ODI World Cup 2023 match. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama struck brilliant hundreds to lead Sri Lanka to an outstanding total of 344/9. With the ball, Hasan Ali shone for Pakistan, taking four wickets for 71 runs in his ten overs. After losing Imam-Ul-Haq and Babar Azam, two of their most reliable hitters, in the first eight overs of their chase, Pakistan didn’t have a good start.
But to assist his team gain momentum, Abdullah Shafique, who came in for the slumping Fakhar Zaman, struck a spectacular 176 runs off 156 balls with his new partner. After smashing a century, Shafique was removed, but Rizwan scored an undefeated 131 off 121 balls to lead Pakistan to victory. Pakistan won the match with 10 balls remaining thanks in large part to Iftikhar Ahmed, who contributed a critical 10-ball 22*. It was, therefore, the most successful run-chase in the history of the ODI World Cup.
