In a sensational World Cup clash, Kusal Mendis delivered a stunning century for Sri Lanka, etching his name in history as the fastest Sri Lankan to achieve this feat in the tournament. Mendis’ remarkable century, achieved in just 65 balls, left cricket fans awestruck.
A Captivating Battle Unfolds
In a match where Sri Lanka’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, elected to bat after winning the toss, Pakistan initially had the upper hand with Hasan Ali dismissing opener Kusal Perera for a duck. However, what followed was a boundary extravaganza led by the Nissanka-Mendis duo. Despite a shaky performance from Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s hopes took a further hit when Imam-ul-Haq dropped a seemingly straightforward catch at backward point.
Mendis and Nissanka’s partnership was nothing short of splendid, accumulating 102 runs for Sri Lanka’s second wicket. While Nissanka eventually departed after scoring 51, Mendis continued his onslaught, achieving his third ODI century in just 65 balls.
Coming into the game, Sri Lanka made a strategic change, introducing Maheesh Theekshana in place of Kasun Rajitha. On the other hand, Pakistan decided to replace the struggling Fakhar Zaman with Abdullah Shafique, partnering him with Imam at the opening.
History and Rivalry
This thrilling encounter brings back memories of the Asia Cup, where Sri Lanka inflicted painful defeats on Pakistan. However, in the World Cup, the situation is different, and Pakistan boasts an impeccable record, having never lost to Sri Lanka in an ODI World Cup game with a 7-0 record. This battle between cricket giants promises to be captivating as they aim to rewrite history.
The Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad provides the backdrop for this intense clash, where both teams have been gearing up, turning it into their home away from home.
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