The Babar Azam-led Pakistan cricket group efficiently chased a file excessive goal of 345 towards Sri Lanka on the Cricket World Cup 2023 on Tuesday. Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique scored tons as Pakistan registered the best ever profitable chase in World Cup historical past. However, Babar Azam couldn’t affect the sport in a giant means as he was out for simply 10. For the second time in Cricket World Cup 2023, Babar Azam failed. In Pakistan’s first match towards Netherlands, Babar Azam was out for  simply 5.

Pakistan’s subsequent match is towards India and earlier than the match, quick bowling nice Shoaib Akhtar has a message for Babar Azam.

“Yes, Babar Azam could not do well again. But we have found another player like Babar Azam in Abdullah Shafique. Babar is obviously a great player, but you need to go out there and win in bigger games like these. I am sure you will be able to do that in days to come. I hope you play big knocks in big games,” Shoaib Akhtar mentioned on his YouTube channel.

Akhtar additionally backed the Pakistan bowlers who conceded 344 runs. “As far as bowling is concerned, I will supports them. I really want Pakistan to go out there and do well. I won’t criticise Pakistan’s bowling as I had said that these are our kids and will back them. These are not ODI bowlers yet. Bowling 10 overs is a different thing. We played just 12 ODIs last year. This same bowling unit will start to perform in the upcoming two or three matches. I can understand the disappointment, but don’t give up on them,” Akhtar mentioned.

Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique clubbed centuries as Pakistan chased down the best goal in World Cup historical past to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

The diminutive Rizwan overcame leg cramps to attain a 121-ball 131 not out whereas Shafique hit a 103-ball 113 as Pakistan overhauled their 345-run goal in 48.2 overs.

The victory provides Pakistan two wins in as many video games and an enormous increase in confidence forward of their high-profile conflict towards India in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

“Always proud when you perform like that. It was difficult and when you chase like that, it’s special,” mentioned Rizwan.

“Every player in the dressing room had the belief we can chase that.”

On his cramping, he mentioned: “Sometimes cramps, sometimes acting!”

Sri Lanka’s imposing complete of 344-9 was constructed round sensible tons of from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama.

“I thought with the way the wicket behaved, we were 20-25 runs short,” mentioned Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka.

Rizwan cracked eight boundaries and three sixes whereas Shafique’s knock had ten boundaries and three sixes as Pakistan improved on the earlier highest World Cup chase of 328 by Ireland towards England in Bangalore in 2011.

Rizwan added a match-turning 176 run stand for the third wicket with Shafique and one other 95 for the fourth with Saud Shakeel who made a 30-ball 31.

Rizwan and Shafique lifted Pakistan from a disastrous begin wherein they misplaced Imam-ul-Haq (12) and skipper Babar Azam (ten) to pacer Dilshan Madushanka.

With AFP inputs