Tambaram: Centuries from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama powered Sri Lanka to 344/9 against Pakistan in their World Cup match at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International stadium.
Their centuries, along with a fifty from Pathum Nissanka allowed Sri Lanka to breach the 300-run mark comfortably but a late comeback from Hasan Ali – who finished with 4/71 and Haris Rauf’s twin wickets in the last over prevented the Lankans from getting to 350.
Mendis and Nissanka orchestrated a splendid partnership, amassing 102 runs for Sri Lanka’s second wicket until Shadab Khan finally made in-roads.
Nissanka was the one to depart, having scored 51, providing Pakistan with a much-needed breakthrough but Mendis went on to bring up his third ODI century off just 65 balls.
He eventually departed for 122 off 77 balls as Pakistan breathed a sigh of relief with Hasan Ali striking with back-to-back wickets.
But Pakistan’s troubles didn’t end there. Samarawickrama held one end firmly en route to scoring his maiden ODI ton, and even though Pakistan chipped away with wickets in the last 10 overs, Sri Lanka’s initialy assault was so impactful that they still managed to get close to 350.
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, chose to bat after winning the toss, after which Pakistan made a perfect start, with Hasan striking early in the second over to dismiss opener Kusal Perera for a duck.
