Kusal Mendis continued his scintillating form at the 2023 World Cup from the South Africa match, where he scored 76 off 42 balls, and unleashed a stunning display against Pakistan at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday, October 8.
He blazed his way to a 65-ball hundred, setting a new record for the fastest century by a Sri Lankan batter in an ODI World Cup.
Mendis surpassed the previous record held by Kumar Sangakkara, who had achieved a century in 70 balls during the 2015 World Cup against England in Wellington. The opener's approach was ruthless, and he made Pakistan pay for dropping him when Imam-ul-Haq put down a chance at 18 in the seventh over of the match. Mendis reached his hundred with a six over deep mid-wicket on the first ball of the 27th over, bowled by Hasan Ali.
Kumar Sangakkara praised Kusal Mendis for his outstanding batting and noted that he is truly coming into his own now.
"Kusal Mendis was always a special player and seems to be coming into his own. What a hundred. His recent experiences in both international and franchise cricket is showing to be a huge positive. Consistent selection and clarity of style of play also helps hugely," he posted on X.
Renowned Indian cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle expressed high expectations for Kusal Mendis, hoping that this tournament would be the platform for his career to take off and even suggesting that Mendis could become one of Sri Lanka's finest cricketers.
"I so hope this is the stage from which Mendis' career takes off. I think he could be one of Sri Lanka's best," Bhogle wrote on X.
The opener was ruthless in his approach and made Pakistan pay after being dropped by Imam-ul-Haq for 18 in the seventh over of the match. The right-hand batter brought up his hundred with a six over deep mid-wicket on the first ball of the 27th over from Hasan Ali.
