PAK vs SL, ICC World Cup 2023, Highlights: Shafique, Rizwan Help Pakistan Gun Down 345 In Hyderabad

Tighten your seatbelts, folks! Hello and Welcome to our Live Blog of the 8th match of ICC World Cup 2023 between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad

After a patchy build-up leading up to the tournament, Pakistan got some breathing space with an 81-run win over the Netherlands

By contrast, Sri Lanka tried their best to topple South Africa's lofty 428-run target, but fell 102 short in their opening game

Pakistan have a massive upper hand over Sri Lanka in World Cups, having won 7 out of 8 games

Focus will be on Pakistan's top-order after finding themselves in the pavilion within 10 overs against the Netherlands

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will be boosted by the return of Maheesh Theekshana, bolstering their spin-bowling unit

Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka has won the toss and has opted to bat first

The massive news from Pakistan's camp is Fakhar Zaman has been dropped

Pakistan playing XI: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf

Sri Lanka playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka

Hassan Ali has struck for Pakistan as Kusal Perera nicks one to the keeper

Kusal Mendis gets a second lifeline as Imam-ul-Haq drops an easy catch

Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka close to stitching a 50-run stand as Sri Lanka counterattack

Pathum Nissanka nears his half-century as Sri Lanka continue to play aggressively

Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis bring up 100-run stand as runs come freely for Sri Lanka

Shadab Khan gets the much-needed breakthrough as Pathum Nissanka departs 

Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama take the attack to Pakistan as Haris Rauf gives away 2 sixes in a 20-run over

Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama also bring up a half-century stand as pressure continue to build pressure on Pakistan

Kusal Mendis smashes a maximum to reach his hundred off only 65 deliveries. It is also the fastest by any Sri Lankan in a World Cup fixture

Some respite forPakistan as Kusal Mendis holes out to Imam-ul-Haq at mid-wicket

Pakistan trying to claw their way back in the game as Charith Asalanka falls cheaply

The 50-run partnership is up between Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dhananjaya de Silva

WICKET! Dhananjaya de Silva c Shaheen Afridi b Nawaz 25 (34 balls).

Nawaz to Samarawickrama, SIX! The 300 comes up for Sri Lanka and Sadeera moves into the 90s with a six over the covers.

WICKET! Sadeera Samarawickrama hits maiden ODI hundred off 82 balls. Sri Lanka 318/5 (45.5 Overs)

WICKET! Dasun Shanaka c Babar Azam b Shaheen Afridi 12 (18 balls)

WICKET! Maheesh Theekshana b Haris Rauf 0 (4 balls). Sri Lanka 343/8 in 49.2 overs

WICKET! Dunith Wellalage c Shafique b Haris Rauf 10 (8 balls).

Sri Lanka Post 344/9 In 50 Overs. Kusal Mendis (122), Sadeera Samarawickrama (108), Hasan Ali (4/71)

Sadeera Samarawickrama: "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. 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."

Pakistan's highest successful chase in ODI cricket is 349 runs, they achieved it against Australia in Lahore last year. Pakistan need to achieve their second highest chase tonight if they have to win this match

Maheesh Theekshana will start the proceedings with the new ball for Sri Lanka after coming back into the side from injury. Abdullah Shafique will take first strike for Pakistan with Imam-ul-Haq at the other end.

WICKET! Imam-ul-Haq c Kusal Perera b Madushanka 12 (12 balls). Top-edges a short delivery and is caught at fine-leg. Pakistan 16/1 (3.3 ovs) vs Sri Lanka (344/9)

All eyes are on Pakistan captain Babar Azam now as he walks in to bat with a massive score in front of him.

WICKET! Babar Azam c Samarawickrama b Madushanka 10 (15 balls). Lazy dismissal as the No.1 ODI batter is stranded down the leg side. Pakistan 37/2 (7.2 overs)

Pakistan after 10 overs at this World Cup

vs Netherlands - 43/3

vs Sri Lanka - 48/2

Abdullah Shafique scores his 2nd ODI fifty off 58 balls. Pakistan 104/2 (19 overs) vs Sri Lanka (344/9)

100-run partnership comes up between Abdullah Shafique (67*) and Mohammad Rizwan (39*). Pakistan 138/2 (25 overs) vs Sri Lanka (344/9)

Mohammad Rizwan scores his 14th ODI fifty off 58 balls. This is Rizwan's 4th fifty in his last 5 ODI innings. Pakistan 162/2 (28.1 overs) vs Sri Lanka (344/9)

Abdullah Shafique hits his maiden ODI hundred. He becomes the first Pakistani cricketer to score a World Cup hundred in India. Pakistan 192/2 (31.2 overs) vs Sri Lanka (344/9)

Pakistan have faced 1022 balls in the powerplay in men's ODIs this year without hitting a single six

WICKET! Abdullah Shafique c (sub) Hemantha b Pathirana 113 (103 balls). Cuts a short delivery outside off-stump towards point where the substitute fielder takes a stunning diving catch to his right. Pakistan 213/3 (33.1 overs) vs Sri Lanka (344/9)

Mohammad Rizwan moves into the 90s but he's really struggling with his calf. The Pakistani team physio has come out several times to treat him but the wicketkeeper-batter is still going on with his innings as he realises the importance of this knock.

Mohammad Rizwan hits 3rd ODI hundred despite suffering from cramps. He is the second Pakistani batter after Abdullah Shafique and second wicketkeeper from his country to score a World Cup century. Pakistan 276/3 (41.1 ovs) need 69 runs from 53 Balls

Pakistan (348/4) Beat Sri Lanka (344/9) By 6 Wickets. Mohd Rizwan (134*), Abdullah Shafique (113). This is the highest successful run chase in ODI WC history.

Live blog ends