Every great cricket match has heroes, and the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team match scorecard from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 belonged to two names—Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique.
On a night when Sri Lanka posted a huge total of 344/9, thanks to centuries from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama, the pressure was entirely on Pakistan’s batting lineup. Chasing such a target in a World Cup match was considered nearly impossible.
However, Pakistan’s two batters showed extraordinary patience, skill, and belief. Their match-winning partnership not only secured a six-wicket victory but also created a historic moment in World Cup cricket.
This was not just another run chase—it was a story of courage, temperament, and two players announcing themselves on one of cricket’s biggest stages.
Match Summary
| Match Details | Information |
| Tournament | ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 |
| Venue | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
| Date | 10 October 2023 |
| Sri Lanka | 344/9 (50 Overs) |
| Pakistan | 345/4 (48.2 Overs) |
| Result | Pakistan won by 6 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Mohammad Rizwan (131*) |
Sri Lanka’s Batting Brilliance – A Target That Looked Unreachable
Before Pakistan’s heroes entered the spotlight, Sri Lanka produced one of their finest ODI batting performances.
After losing Kusal Perera for a duck, many expected Pakistan’s strong pace attack to take control. Instead, Kusal Mendis launched a fearless counterattack.
Sri Lanka Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
| Pathum Nissanka | 51 | 61 |
| Kusal Perera | 0 | 4 |
| Kusal Mendis | 122 | 77 |
| Sadeera Samarawickrama | 108 | 89 |
| Charith Asalanka | 1 | 3 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | 25 | 34 |
| Dasun Shanaka | 12 | 12 |
| Dunith Wellalage | 10 | 8 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 0 | 2 |
| Kasun Rajitha | 14* | 14 |
| Dilshan Madushanka | 0* | 0 |
Extras: 1
Total: 344/9 in 50 overs
Kusal Mendis – The Innings That Almost Won the Match
Kusal Mendis played a breathtaking innings of 122 runs from just 77 deliveries.
His aggressive approach completely disrupted Pakistan’s bowling plans.
Mendis’ Knock Included:
- 14 boundaries
- 6 sixes
- A century in just 65 balls
His partnership with Sadeera Samarawickrama transformed Sri Lanka from a team rebuilding after an early wicket into a side capable of posting a match-winning total.
Sadeera Samarawickrama’s Perfect Supporting Role
While Mendis attacked, Samarawickrama brought stability.
His unbeaten 108 showed:
- Excellent shot selection
- Intelligent strike rotation
- Ability to accelerate at the right time
The combination of aggression and control helped Sri Lanka reach a massive 344 runs.
At the innings break, the majority of experts believed Sri Lanka had one hand on the victory.
Pakistan’s Nightmare Start
Chasing 345 required a strong opening partnership.
Instead, Pakistan suffered early setbacks.
Early Wickets
- Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed for 12.
- Captain Babar Azam managed only 10 runs.
- Pakistan slipped to 37/2.
The pressure inside the Hyderabad stadium increased.
Sri Lankan fans sensed a famous victory.
Pakistan needed something extraordinary.
That moment belonged to Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan.
Abdullah Shafique – The Calm Young Warrior
Making his ODI World Cup debut, Abdullah Shafique displayed maturity beyond his years.
He did not try to play risky shots immediately. Instead, he built his innings carefully and slowly shifted the pressure back onto Sri Lanka.
Abdullah Shafique’s Match-Changing Century
| Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
| 113 | 103 | 10 | 3 |
His innings showed the qualities of a future Pakistan batting leader:
- Strong technique
- Calm temperament
- Ability to play spin and pace equally well
- Confidence under pressure
His century was not only important for the match but also marked his arrival on the biggest stage.
Mohammad Rizwan – The Heartbeat of Pakistan’s Chase
If Abdullah built the foundation, Mohammad Rizwan completed the masterpiece.
The wicketkeeper-batter played one of the greatest innings by a Pakistani player in ODI World Cup history.
Rizwan’s Match-Winning Knock
| Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
| 131* | 121 | 8 | 3 |
What made Rizwan’s innings special was his understanding of the chase.
He knew Pakistan did not need miracles. They needed control.
Rizwan’s Winning Formula
- Rotate the strike regularly.
- Avoid unnecessary risks.
- Punish bad deliveries.
- Keep the required run rate under control.
His ability to remain unbeaten until the final moment demonstrated elite finishing skills.
The Partnership That Changed History
The 176-run stand between Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan became the defining moment of the match.
Why It Was Special
- It came when Pakistan were struggling at 37/2.
- Both players scored centuries.
- They took the match away from Sri Lanka gradually.
- It became one of Pakistan’s greatest World Cup partnerships.
The partnership showed that ODI cricket is not only about power hitting but also about patience and game awareness.
Pakistan Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
| Imam-ul-Haq | 12 | 12 |
| Abdullah Shafique | 113 | 103 |
| Babar Azam | 10 | 15 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 131* | 121 |
| Saud Shakeel | 31 | 30 |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | 22* | 10 |
Extras: 26
Total: 345/4 in 48.2 overs
Sri Lanka’s Bowling Struggles
Despite defending a huge total, Sri Lanka’s bowlers failed to create pressure during the middle overs.
Their biggest problems were:
- Lack of breakthroughs.
- Inability to stop singles and doubles.
- Missing the right bowling lengths.
Once Rizwan and Abdullah crossed the 100-run partnership mark, Sri Lanka found it difficult to regain control.
Match Timeline – The Rise of Pakistan’s Heroes
First Phase: Sri Lanka Take Control
- Kusal Mendis destroys Pakistan’s bowling.
- Samarawickrama completes his century.
- Sri Lanka reach 344/9.
Second Phase: Pakistan in Trouble
- Imam and Babar are dismissed early.
- Pakistan fall to 37/2.
- The required run rate begins to rise.
Third Phase: Rizwan and Abdullah’s Masterclass
- The pair rebuild the innings.
- Both score magnificent centuries.
- The chase turns in Pakistan’s favor.
Final Phase: Rizwan Finishes the Job
- Saud Shakeel and Iftikhar Ahmed provide support.
- Rizwan remains unbeaten.
- Pakistan reaches 345/4 with 10 balls left.
Records Achieved During the Match
The Hyderabad encounter entered cricket history.
Major Records
- Pakistan completed the highest successful chase in ODI World Cup history at that time.
- Four different batters scored centuries.
- Mohammad Rizwan registered his first ODI World Cup century.
- Abdullah Shafique scored a century on his World Cup debut.
- It became one of the greatest run chases in Pakistan’s ODI history.
Expert Opinion – A Lesson in Handling Pressure
From a cricket analyst’s perspective, the biggest difference between the two teams was temperament.
Sri Lanka played outstanding cricket for almost 40 overs of the match, but they could not maintain the same intensity with the ball.
Pakistan, however, never allowed the scoreboard pressure to control them.
Rizwan and Abdullah treated a 345-run chase like a carefully planned mission rather than a desperate attack.
That strategic approach turned a difficult challenge into a historic victory.
Fan Reactions – A Match That Won Global Praise
Cricket supporters around the world praised the quality of the contest.
Pakistan fans celebrated:
- Rizwan’s fighting spirit.
- Abdullah’s fearless World Cup debut.
- The team’s record-breaking chase.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan fans appreciated the brilliance of Mendis and Samarawickrama despite the painful defeat.
Many experts called the game one of the best matches of the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
The Bigger Impact on Both Teams
Pakistan
The victory showed that Pakistan had a more dependable batting unit than many critics believed.
It also established Abdullah Shafique as a reliable top-order option for major tournaments.
Sri Lanka
The defeat raised questions about their bowling attack.
Despite scoring 344 runs and having two centurions, they failed to defend a position that most teams would have considered winning.
Conclusion
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team match scorecard represents more than just numbers on paper.
It tells the story of a match where Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama created a mountain of runs, only for Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique to climb that mountain with remarkable confidence.
Pakistan’s 345-run chase remains one of the greatest achievements in ODI World Cup history, and the performances of Rizwan and Shafique will be remembered as a perfect example of courage under pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who won the Sri Lanka vs Pakistan World Cup 2023 match?
Pakistan won the match by six wickets after successfully chasing 345 runs.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Mohammad Rizwan received the award for his unbeaten 131 runs.
How many centuries were scored in the match?
Four centuries were scored by Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Abdullah Shafique, and Mohammad Rizwan.
What was the turning point of the match?
The 176-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique completely changed the momentum.
Why is this match considered historic?
It featured the highest successful run chase in ODI World Cup history at that time.
