Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan scored fantastic centuries as Pakistan pulled off a highest ever run chase by defeating Sri Lanka by 6 wickets at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Sri Lanka started disastrously by losing Kusal Perera for a duck in the second over off Hasan Ali.
The pair of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis added 102 runs for the second wicket stand before the former perished to Shadab Khan for 51.
Mendis featured in yet another 111 run stand for the third wicket alongside Sadeera Samarawickrama before the former fell for a swashbuckling 122. His knock came off 77 balls with 14 fours and 6 sixes.
Charith Asalanka (1) fell soon after, nicking one to wicket keeper Rizwan behind the stumps. Pakistan bowlers did well in the final ten overs by conceding just 61 runs in the final 10 overs, as the Lankans finished at 344/9 in their 50 overs.
In response, Pakistan got off to a disastrous start by losing Imam-ul-Haq (12) and skipper Babar Azam (10) to left arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka.
Abdullah Shafique along with Mohammad Rizwan put on 176 runs for the third wicket stand before the former fell to a brilliant catch at backward point by substitute Hemantha off Matheesha Pathirana for a fantastic 113.
Rizwan who suffered cramps didn’t leave the field and scored an unbeaten 131 as The Men in Green overhauled the target of 345 in 48.2 overs. Iftikhar Ahmed at the other end remained unbeaten on 22 off 10 balls.
With this win Pakistan extended their unbeaten record against Sri Lanka. Babar Azam’s men will next be seen in action against hosts India in Ahmedabad on October 14.
Pakistan 345 for 4 (Rizwan 131*, Shafique 113, Madushanka 2-60) beat Sri Lanka 344 for 9 (Mendis 122, Samarawickrama 108, Hasan Ali 4-71) by six wickets.