Mohammad Rizwan scored 131* to help Pakistan beat Sri Lanka.
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter, Mohammad Rizwan played an amazing knock to help his team chase down the target of 345 against Sri Lanka with 6 wickets in hand and 10 balls remaining, in Match 8 of Cricket World Cup 2023.
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat in Hyderabad as Kusal Mendis (122) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (108) struck hundreds in Sri Lanka's 344/9. Hassan Ali was the most successful bowler for Pakistan with 4/71.
Pakistan needed to achieve the highest successful chase of all-time in the Cricket World Cup, and they did that, thanks to opener Abdullah Shafique (113) and Mohammad Rizwan (131*), as the duo put on 176 runs for the third wicket. Saud Shakeel and Iftikhar Ahmed contributed with brisk cameos to support Rizwan in finishing off the game.
Rizwan, who scored his third ODI hundred and registered his career-best score of 131*, had some issues with cramps at various times in the later half of his innings, having also kept for 50 overs in the heat earlier.
There were some truly comical moments in the middle, as the commentators were left in splits with Rizwan cramping up. They even suggested he was making up the cramps to get some extra rest.
During the post-match presentation ceremony, Rizwan was asked about the cramps by Simon Doull, and he hilariously said ‘sometimes its cramps, sometimes its acting’.
“Always a proud moment for me whenever you perform for your country. I am speechless at this moment. It was difficult. The thing was that after the bowling innings we went back and everyone was confident. Unluckily, they got Babar Azam early but we got good partnerships after that. It's a good track, was supporting to us,” Rizwan added.