World Cup 2023: 'Kya phainta lagaya', Netizens react to Pakistan's record-breaking victory over Sri Lanka

Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique clubbed centuries as Pakistan chased down the highest target in World Cup history to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in Hyderabad on Tuesday. World Cup 2023: News | Schedule | Results | Points table The diminutive Rizwan overcame leg cramps to score a 121-ball 131 not out while Shafique hit a 103-ball 113 as Pakistan overhauled their 345-run target in 48.2 overs. The victory gives Pakistan two wins in as many games and a huge boost in confidence ahead of their high-profile clash against India in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

“Always proud when you perform like that. It was difficult and when you chase like that, it’s special,” said Rizwan. “Every player in the dressing room had the belief we can chase that.” On his cramping, he said: “Sometimes cramps, sometimes acting!” Sri Lanka’s imposing total of 344-9 was built around brilliant hundreds from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama. “I thought with the way the wicket behaved, we were 20-25 runs short,” said Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka. Rizwan cracked eight boundaries and three sixes while Shafique’s knock had ten boundaries and three sixes as Pakistan improved on the previous highest World Cup chase of 328 by Ireland against England in Bangalore in 2011. Here’s how social media reacted to Pakistan’s victory:  

  With inputs from AFP