Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in World Cup record

ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, Hyderabad, Sri Lanka 344-9 (50 overs): Mendis 122 (77), Samarawickrama 108 (89); Hassan 4-71Pakistan 345-4 (48.2 overs): Rizwan 131* (121), Shafique 113 (103); Madushanka 2-59Pakistan won by six wicketsScorecard ; Group table

At 37-2, their goal seemed far away but a superb partnership of 176 from 156 balls between Abdullah Shafique and Muhammad Rizwan laid the platform.

Shafique, who joined the team for Fakhar Zaman, made 113 off 103 balls before being caught at point, but Rizwan and Saud Shakeel then shared 95 for the fourth wicket.

Rizwan was awarded a treatment for a back injury, and calf cramp, but he fought through the pain heroically.

The wicketkeeper finished unbeaten on 131 off 121 balls, and overcame Shakeel's dismissal for 31 , to strike the victory and see his team return home alongside Iftikhar Ahmed (22*) with 10 balls to spare.

Sri Lanka made 344-9 from their 50 overs with Kusal Mendis smashing a brilliant 122 from 77 balls and Sadeera Samarawickrama 108 out of 89.

This match is the first in the history of the World Cup to last four centuries.

Pakistan won their first two matches, while Sri Lanka lost both.

In Tuesday's other World Cup match, England recovered from first match defeat with an emphatic 137-run victory against Bangladesh.

Wednesday's World Cup will pit India against Afghanistan in Delhi.

Continuations of previous records in world men's cricket. ..