Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama scored centuries to post a big total of 344/7 against Pakistan. This is the highest total in ODI World Cup history against Pakistan. The previous record was held by India as they posted 336/5 against Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup.
Rohit Sharma's 140 and half-centuries from KL Rahul and Virat Kohli had helped India post 336/5. For Sri Lanka, Mendis scored 77-ball 122 and Samarawickrama scored 89-ball 108. Sri Lanka lost too many wickets in the slog overs but managed to post 344/7.
It is also their third-highest total against any team in the ODI World Cup. They scored 398/5 against Kenya in 1996 and 363/9 against Scotland in the 2015 World Cup. However, it is their highest World Cup total against a full-member nation.
Mendis and Samarawickrama became the second pair to score a century against Pakistan in a World Cup match. Earlier, England's Joe Root (107) and Jos Buttler (103) had scored centuries against Pakistan at Trent Bridge, Nottingham in the 2019 edition of the World Cup.
It is the fourth instance of a two-century partnership for Sri Lanka in a World Cup match. They had done it against Kenya in 1996 followed by Bangladesh and England in World Cup 2015.
Mendis hit the fastest century for Sri Lanka in the World Cup. Also, Samarawickrama became the third batter at no.4 to score a century for Sri Lanka in the World Cup.
“Really happy about the performance in this match. I didn't get a hundred before. I badly wanted to get a hundred in my career, I am really happy today,” an ecstatic Samarawickrama told broadcasters in the innings break.
“Pathum Nissanka and Kusal batted really well, my plan was to be bat positive and give the strike to Kusal Mendis. We both batted really well in that period. That was a great partnership. In the first few overs, when I was batting, the wicket was really good. Last 15 overs, the fast bowlers got some grip. I think it wasn't easy to bat on in the last few overs. After the new ball, pace off is a good option on this wicket.”
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