In a remarkable display of talent, Pakistan’s opener Abdullah Shafique etched his name into the annals of cricket history by notching up his maiden ODI century. His outstanding performance came during a challenging chase against Sri Lanka in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match.
In the cricket match, Sri Lanka’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, elected to bat first after winning the toss. Despite the early setback of Kusal Perera getting out without scoring, the duo of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis got Sri Lanka off to an explosive start, putting up a partnership of 105 runs. Kusal Mendis was on fire, hammering 14 fours and 6 sixes in his 77-ball innings, and he managed to achieve the fastest World Cup century ever by a Sri Lankan hitter.
The emphasis then moved to Sadeera Samarawickrama, who crafted his very maiden ODI century with a superb showing, amassing 108 runs that featured 11 boundaries and 2 maximums. However, when the innings reached its conclusion, Pakistani spinners managed to seize control, limiting Sri Lanka to a score of 344/9. It felt like Sri Lanka was on route to a more big score, maybe topping 360-370 runs. The standout bowler for Pakistan was Hassan Ali, who grabbed 4 wickets.
In this game, Abdullah Shafique stepped into the opening role, taking over from Fakhar Zaman, and truly demonstrated why the Pakistani team has so much faith in him. His performance was nothing short of remarkable, showcasing a blend of elegance and unwavering determination in his very first World Cup appearance. He notched up his inaugural ODI century during a nail-biting run chase against Sri Lanka in Hyderabad, under immense pressure.
Abdullah Shafique joined an exclusive club of Pakistan’s batters who have struck World Cup hundreds against Sri Lanka, alongside the likes of Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, and Saleem Malik. However, what sets him apart is that he became the first Pakistani cricketer to achieve this milestone on his World Cup debut, making him the 17th batter worldwide to achieve such a feat.
Also Read: Pakistan Sets A Record Of Highest Run Chase In ICC World Cup
Highest scores on World Cup debut for Pakistan:
113 – Abdullah Shafique vs SL, Hyderabad, 2023*
82 – Mohsin Khan vs SL, Swansea, 1983
78* – Asad Shafique vs ZIM, Pallekele, 2011
76 – Rameez Raja vs SL, Hyderabad (PAK), 1987
71 – Umar Akmal vs KEN, Hambantota, 2011
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