Sri Lanka posted a score of 344 for the loss of nine wickets at the end of the first 50 overs in the ICC World Cup match against Pakistan, making this the highest run-chase for Pakistan in its World Cup history.
The first innings saw two centurions, with Kusal Mendis scoring his century in 66 balls, making this is his maiden World Cup ton and third ODI century, followed by Sadeera Samarawickrama’s century, marking his first ODI ton.
Pathum Nissanka’s half-century too, helped the Lions put up a score of 344 runs, setting just enough of a challenge for Pakistan.
At the start of the innings, Kusal Perera couldn’t hold up to Hasan Ali’s bowling, but after that, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis put pressure back on the bowlers which favored Sri Lanka and allowed the batters to be aggressive.
Nissanka was sent back to the pavilion just as he was setting the tone of the game, but Kusal Mendis carried on and played an exceptional innings. Sadeera Samarawickrama supported him throughout the innings and kept the scoreboard going.
Pakistan’s bowlers, too, however, did well to claw their way back into the game, giving up just 61 runs in the last ten overs, while also taking five wickets.
