The eighth match of the ODI World Cup 2023 between Pakistan and Sri Lanka turned out to be a thrilling encounter that had fans on the edge of their seats.
While Sri Lanka’s batting performance had set the stage with an impressive total of 344 runs, it was their exceptional fielding and a breathtaking catch by substitute fielder Dushan Hemantha that stole the limelight during the second innings.
Sri Lanka’s stunning batting performance
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first, and their decision paid off handsomely. Their batters came out with aggression, putting up an imposing total on the scoreboard.
The heroics of Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama were the standout moments of Sri Lanka’s innings.
Mendis played a scintillating knock of 122 runs off just 77 deliveries, while Samarawickrama contributed a brilliant 108 off 89 balls. Pathum Nissanka also played a crucial role,
adding 51 runs to the total. However, Hasan Ali‘s four-wicket haul was a silver lining for Pakistan, providing some respite amid the Sri Lankan onslaught.
Abdullah Shafique’s ton and Dushan Hemantha’s breathtaking catch
In response, Pakistan’s innings faced an early setback as they lost their opener, Imam-ul-Haq. However, Abdullah Shafique and
Mohammad Rizwan displayed resilience and kept Pakistan’s hopes alive. Shafique, in particular, was in sublime form, smashing a brilliant century on his World Cup debut. But unfortunately, he soon fell victim to a magnificent fielding effort from Hemantha.
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The magical moment came on the first ball of the 34th over when
Matheesha Pathirana delivered an innocuous delivery with ample width on offer. Shafique seized the opportunity to cut the ball hard, hoping for a boundary.
But Hemantha, stationed at backward point as a substitute fielder, had different plans. In a breathtaking display of athleticism and anticipation, Hemantha leapt to his right, fully stretched, and took an astonishing two-handed catch. It was a stunner that left everyone in awe, including the commentators and fans.
Here’s the video:
Despite losing Shafique, Rizwan didn’t let Pakistan lose their momentum.
He continued to score runs brilliantly and eventually reached his own century in the process, keeping Pakistan’s hopes alive in the game and eventually leading them to a six-wicket victory .
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Pakistan flag in Hyderabad during PAK vs SL clash
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