CWC 2023: Cricket fraternity reacts as Rizwan, Shafique star in Pakistan’s record World Cup run chase vs Sri Lanka

Pakistan chased down the target of 345 with 6 wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare.

By Salman Anjum - 10 Oct, 2023

Pakistan pulled off the highest successful run chase in World Cup history to defeat Sri Lanka by six wickets at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Tuesday (October 10).

Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka rode on centuries from Kusal Mendis (122 off 77 balls) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (108 off 89 balls) to rack up a mammoth 344/9 on the board.

Amid the carnage, Hasan Ali returned with four wickets for Pakistan by conceding 71 runs in his 10 overs.

Chasing the target, the Men in Green found themselves struggling at 37/2 as Dilshan Madushanka dismissed Imam-ul-Haq (12) and Babar Azam (10) cheaply.

Amid the pressure situation, Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan rose to the occasion for Pakistan, adding 176 runs for the third wicket to put Sri Lanka on the backfoot.

While Abdullah got out after scoring 113 off 103 balls, Rizwan held the one end firmly and stayed unbeaten on 131 off 121 balls to take Pakistan over the line with 10 deliveries to spare.

For their stunning display with the bat, Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan received rich praise from the cricket fraternity on social media platform X.

Here are the reactions:

Congratulations Pakistan What a treat to watch the match winning partnership between @iMRizwanPak and @imabd28 what a chase. Will analyse Pakistan win tomorrow on #AzharKiNazar due to travelling. #PAKvSL #CWC2023
— Azhar Ali (@AzharAli_) October 10, 2023

Congratulations team Pakistan winning in style ????????????????????????. Highest successful run chase in the history of World Cup matches. @iMRizwanPak played a master class innings of ???? along with young emerging star @imabd28 ???? ????????????????????. Take a bow. Well bowled @RealHa55an ???????? #PAKvSL #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/1ZkNMvkdyM
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) October 10, 2023

Pakistan ???????? chased down the highest successful score in World Cup history???? Congratulations!! Delightful batting by @iMRizwanPak and @imabd28 . Spectacular spell of 4 wickets by @RealHa55an ????????❤️ Well done Boyss!!Good Luck for the next one.#PAKvSL #WorldCup #pakistanzindabad… pic.twitter.com/5aKXaPwgFW
— Saeed Ajmal (@REALsaeedajmal) October 10, 2023

Highest run chase in World Cup history and career best for @imabd28 and @iMRizwanPak supported by @RealHa55an. Well done boys. Bowling needs tighter line and length #PakVsSL #CWC23
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 10, 2023

What a record breaking chase !! Incredible by the boys esp Abdullah Shafiq, & Rizwan outstanding knock by them ! take a bow Pakistan ! #PakVSl #CWC2023
— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11) October 10, 2023

Excellent from batting unit,cool and calm run chase with mostly cricketing shots,thats the benefit of having good technique @imabd28 is future star,@iMRizwanPak is a true warrior #PAKvSL #WC2023
— Sohail Tanveer (@sohailmalik614) October 10, 2023

Till now #CWC2023 is going as expected no surprises till yet.@TheRealPCBMedia have chase down a historic target.@iMRizwanPak & @imabd28 have done things easy for them.#PAKvSL #WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/OQ8fcYBexF
— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129) October 10, 2023

Kya phainta lagaya. Highest successful WC chase. Brilliant from Pakistan after losing 2 early wickets. Shafique was calm and elegant and Rizwan showing why he is so reliable. Sri Lankan bowling was all over the place and too many extras. #PAKvSL
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 10, 2023

Phenomenal run chase from Pakistan????????????????????????????????????????!!!
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 10, 2023

When Rizwan started cramping up, SriLanka would have known they were in trouble.
What a game! What a win for Pakistan! ????????????#ICCCricketWorldCup #PAKvSL
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) October 10, 2023

Congratulations Pakistan on a brilliant chase, kudos to @iMRizwanPak and @imabd28 for pulling it off with such ease. A confidence booster right before the highly anticipated #PAKvIND on Saturday. Good job boys, keep up the momentum????????
Pakistan Zindabad ????????#PAKvSL #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/OdhXm4Z9vG
— Ahmad Shahzad ???????? (@iamAhmadshahzad) October 10, 2023

SHABASH!!!
Weldone ???????? team..Great knock by Abdullah Shafiq and Rizwan under pressure.Incredible Chase.Keep it up guys.Proud of all of you????
— Mohammad Yousaf (@yousaf1788) October 10, 2023

Batting is about pacing your innings and picking the perfect time and bowler to attack. Rizwan played a perfectly planned Odi knock. He is always there for his team. #PAKvSL #Rizwan
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) October 10, 2023

What a phenomenal win for Pakistan ' dream Wc debut for @imabd28 and master class from Mr. Dependable @iMRizwanPak .
Congratulations everyone pic.twitter.com/DrHlfQ6wh2
— Umar Akmal (@Umar96Akmal) October 10, 2023

A record chase on the board, what a game of cricket!! ????

The boys @iMRizwanPak @imabd28 made 345 look very easy. The bowlers did an amazing job too specially @RealHa55an @HarisRauf14 by restricting the flow of runs in the last 10 overs. Kamaal game team!????????????#PAKvSL #CWC23
— Fawad Alam (@iamfawadalam25) October 10, 2023

A resounding victory for Pakistan!! Just the confidence boost they needed! Those extra runs proved costly for Sri Lanka. #CWC23 #PAKvSL
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) October 10, 2023

Congratulations to team Pakistan ???????? @TheRealPCB very well played …good victory #PAKvSL
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) October 10, 2023

Magnificent chase by our batters! Hats off to @iMRizwanPak and @imabd28 on the wonderful 100 that took us over the line. Keep it! @TheRealPCB #icccricketworldcup2023
— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) October 10, 2023

Abdullah Shafique and Mohammed Rizwan were fantastic in Pakistan’s chase.#CWC2023
— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) October 10, 2023

Shafique has made the most of the opportunity…now, twice over. Looks solid against pace. Comfortable again at spin.
Rizwan is a fabulous cricketer…adversity brings the best out of him. Superb run-chase by Pakistan. Sets up nicely for the 14th ???????? #CWC23
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 10, 2023

By Salman Anjum - 10 Oct, 2023

CWC 2023: Cricket fraternity reacts as Rizwan, Shafique star in Pakistan’s record World Cup run chase vs Sri Lanka

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