Pakistan 345 for 4 (Rizwan 131*, Shafique 113, Madushanka 2-60) beat Sri Lanka 344 for 9 (Mendis 122, Samarawickrama 108, Hasan Ali 4-71) by six wickets

Rizwan, who suffered from at instances seemingly debilitating cramps - the physio got here and checked out him twice - for the final 15 overs or so of the chase, remained unbeaten in the long run on a 121-ball 131. Together with Shafique - who himself recorded the very best rating by a Pakistan debutant at a World Cup along with his 113 off 103 - he had put collectively a third-wicket stand value 176 off simply 156 deliveries.

It was a stand that might break the backbone of the chase, although even then it may not have been sufficient had Rizwan himself not valiantly caught round until the top. He would placed on an additional 95 off 68 with Saud Shakeel, after which 37 off 23 with Iftikhar Ahmed, as Pakistan finally cantered house to a win that may present them an immense confidence enhance forward of Saturday's large conflict towards India.

As for Sri Lanka, it is two defeats in as many video games, and after conceding over 750 runs throughout two matches there might be rising issues over their bowlers' skills in dealing with such batter-friendly tracks.

Pakistan have been additionally intelligent in guaranteeing they capitalised on Sri Lanka's must fulfil their fifth bowler quota. While Dasun Shanaka went for simply 28 in his 5 overs, Dhananjaya de Silva was taken for 36 in 4 and Charith Asalanka 10 in his solitary over.

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