Shubman Gill and Abdullah Shafique each celebrate their first ODI ton. Shafique struck a stunning 113 off 103 balls.
On Tuesday, October 10, Pakistan faced Sri Lanka in Match 08 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Sri Lanka set a mammoth target of 345 for the Babar Azam-led side to win the match. Pakistan were at 37/2 after 7.2 overs when Abdullah Shafique join in the middle by Mohammad Rizwan and went on to produce a superb century.
The 23-year-old celebrated his maiden ODI century emphatically, bowing down towards the dressing room like legendary India batter Shubamn Gill.
Also Visit: Mohammad Rizwan overcomes cramps to unleash a stunning six over the long off.
Watch his Celebration here:
Shafique went on to bat a brilliant 113 off 103 balls, smacking 10 fours and three sixes. He was part of a magnificent 176-run stand off 155 balls for the third wicket with Mohammad Rizwan, which enabled his side recover from the early blows.
Notably, it was Shafique’s fifth ODI innings, having replaced Fakhar Zaman in the playing XI against Sri Lanka. Shafique has scored 193 runs from five innings at an average of 38.60 with 150 to his name in five ODIs so far. The 23-year-old also has a remarkable record in his brief Test career of 14 matches. Amassed 1220 runs at an average of 50.83 with four hundreds and four fifties.
Mohammad Rizwan took Pakistan home with his unbeaten 131
Meanwhile, following Shafique’s dismissal, Mohammad Rizwan remained at the crease. Battling through severe cramps as Pakistan chased down the greatest target in World Cup history. Rizwan batted magnificently for 131* (121) with eight fours and three sixes as Pakistan chased down 345 in 48.2 overs and won by six wickets. Rizwan was duly named Player of the Match for his dazzling hundred.
Earlier in the day, Kusal Mendis made history by scoring the fastest century by a Sri Lankan hitter in an ODI World Cup in only 65 balls. He went on to knock 122 off 77 balls, with aid from Sadeera Samarawickrama (108 off 99), as the combination helped Sri Lanka reach 344/9 in their allotted 50 overs.
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