ICC World Cup 2023: Mohammed Rizwan dedicates sensational ton to Palestine attack victims

Mohammed Rizwan (Pic: AFP)

Star Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammed Rizwan, on Wednesday, dedicated his team's record-breaking performance against Sri Lanka in ICC World Cup 2023 to 'brothers and sisters in Gaza'.

Rizwan (131) had conjured an unbeaten century while young Abdullah Shafique (113) smashed his maiden ODI century to lead Pakistan to a world-record chase 345 against Sri Lanka on Tuesday in Hyderabad.

Rizwan shared a match-winning 176-run stand for the third wicket with Shafique as Pakistan romped home in 48.2 overs. This was the highest successful run-chase in the history of the World Cup.

Ireland had previously held the record for the highest run chase in ODI World Cups when they successfully chased down 329 versus England during the 2011 World Cup in India.

"This was for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Happy to contribute in the win. Credits to the whole team and especially Abdullah Shafique and Hassan Ali for making it easier. Extremely grateful to the people of Hyderabad for the amazing hospitality and support throughout," Rizwan posted on X.

Hamas militants launched a surprise weekend attack on Israel that killed more than 900 people, triggering strong offensive from Jerusalem, which has declared war against the attackers.

Rizwan on Tuesday battled severe cramps to smash an unbeaten century, while young Abdullah Shafique hit a maiden ton as Pakistan scripted a world-record chase to edge out Sri Lanka by six wickets in a high-scoring ODI to continue their winning run in the tournament.

Rizwan paced his innings superbly as he shared a match-winning 176-run stand for the third wicket with the 23-year-old Shafique (113) to first resurrect their chase of a stiff 345 and then added another 95 runs with Saud Shakeel (31) as Pakistan romped home in 48.2 overs.

This was the highest successful run-chase in the history of the World Cup as Pakistan extended their winning streak against Sri Lanka in World Cups to an overwhelming 8-0.

Ireland had previously held the record for the highest run chase in ODI World Cups when they successfully chased down 329 versus England during the 2011 World Cup in India.

Opting to bat, Sri Lanka dished out a dominating batting performance to post a challenging 344 for nine, built around the superlative hundreds by Kusal Mendis (122) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (108).

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Sri Lanka then left Pakistan reeling at 37 for 2 in 7.2 overs with Dilshan Madushanka claiming both the wickets. While a pull shot became Imam-ul-Haq's undoing, skipper Babar failed again after trying to play one down the legside.

However, Shafique, playing only his fifth ODI, showed great maturity as he and Rizwan steadied the ship, bringing up the team's 100 in the 19th over.

Shafique, who replaced Fakhar Zaman, and Rizwan looked for damage control initially but slowly picked up pace with the former scoring his fifty off 58 balls.

Soon, the 100-run stand between the two was up as Pakistan reached 138 for 2 at the halfway mark with Sri Lanka desperately looking for a breakthrough.

While Shafique deposited two sixes over midwicket and one straight down the ground, Rizwan too produced an inside-out drive off Wellalage for four and another cut shot behind point to score his fifty off 58 balls.

Once Shafique picked up his maiden ODI ton in the 32nd over, Rizwan smashed two sixes in two balls off Madhushanka to help Pakistan cross the 200-mark and put it in a position of strength.

(With inputs from agencies)