Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has issued warning to India ahead of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup clash against Pakistan in Ahmedabad on October 14 after the Men in Green chased down a record total of 345 for the loss of four wickets against Sri Lanka today.
Mohammad Rizwan (131*) and Abdullah Shafique (113) starred with the bat for Pakistan, the former hitting the winning runs with 10 balls to spare to better Ireland's previous record of 329 to beat England in 2011.
Meanwhile, Aakash opined on Pakistan's win, Shafique's masterclass and Rizwan's greatness. He also thinks Babar Azam and Co. are preparing well for the India clash.
"[Abdullah] Shafique has made the most of the opportunity…now, twice over. Looks solid against pace. Comfortable again at spin," Aakash wrote on X (formerly Twitter)
"Rizwan is a fabulous cricketer…adversity brings the best out of him. Superb run-chase by Pakistan. Sets up nicely for the 14th," he added.
Chasing the target of 345 runs, the Men in Green met with early blows as they had lost their top-order batters, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam, in just 7.1 overs and were 37-2 but the match-winning partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and the World Cup debutant, Abdullah Shafique, changed the fortunes of the struggling Pakistani side.
The 176-run stand between the two batters provided their side the much-needed break and got them in a dominating position once again.
Abdullah walked back to the pavilion after scoring 113 off 103 courtesy of 10 fours and three sixes but Rizwan stayed till the end and took his side over the line by scoring 131 runs — Pakistan’s second-highest individual score in the World Cup overtaking Ramiz Raja’s 119 against New Zealand in 1992.
- Mohammad Rizwan
