In a mesmerizing display of cricketing brilliance, the clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the World Cup 2023 witnessed an extraordinary milestone—a feat that etched itself into the annals of cricket history. For the first time in World Cup matches, two Pakistani batters, Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique, notched up centuries in the same innings, setting a record that will be remembered for generations to come.
The moment of this historic achievement arrived amidst the roar of the crowd and the pressure of a high-stakes match. Pathirana, the Sri Lankan bowler, sent down a slow, full delivery aimed at Rizwan’s leg. With impeccable timing and finesse, Rizwan delicately clipped the ball to deep square leg, securing a single run. This single marked Rizwan’s third ODI century—a testament to his outstanding batting skills under pressure.
But the record-breaking exploits did not stop there. Earlier in the innings, Abdullah Shafique carved his name in the record books by reaching his maiden ODI century in style. Madushanka, the Sri Lankan bowler, offered a short-of-length delivery around off, and Shafique stood tall, pulling the ball hard over midwicket. The crowd erupted in joy as Shafique punched the air and bowed down in celebration, marking a historic moment in his career.
This achievement not only marked the first instance of two Pakistani batters scoring centuries in a World Cup inning but also established a new World Cup record—four centuries in a single match. Such a feat had occurred only twice before in all ODIs, making this accomplishment all the more special for the cricketing world.
