Abdullah Shafique becomes first ever Pakistan batsman to hit century on ICC Cricket World Cup debut

Abdullah Shafique is also the fourth Pakistan to score a century in World Cups against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique joined a famed list as he scored a brilliant century, his first in the ODI format, and that too in a tough chase against Sri Lanka in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match. This encounter is being played in Hyderabad and Sri Lanka did extremely well in the first innings.

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and chose to bat first. Despite losing Kusal Perera for a duck, Pathum Nissanka (51) and Kusal Mendis (122) took Sri Lanka off to a flyer with a partnership of 105 runs. Mendis was in decimating form as he struck 14 fours and 6 sixes in his 77-ball knock and hit the fastest World Cup hundred by a Sri Lankan batter.

Then Sadeera Samarawickrama took center stage and stroked his maiden ODI century, scoring 108 with 11 fours and 2 sixes. In the death overs, Pakistani bowlers took command and restricted Sri Lanka to 344/9, while they looked good for a total of over 360-370. Hassan Ali took 4 wickets for Pakistan.

Abdullah Shafique hits maiden ODI century and first Pakistani to hit a ton on World Cup debut

Abdullah Shafique replaced Fakhar Zaman as the opener in this match and showed why the Pakistani team backs him so much. He displayed sheer class and determination on his World Cup debut by scoring his maiden ODI century in a high-pressure run chase against Sri Lanka in Hyderabad.

Abdullah Shafique became the fourth Pakistan batter to hit a World Cup hundred against Sri Lanka after Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, and Saleem Malik. But he is the first Pakistani to score a century in World Cup debut and 17th batter overall.

Highest scores on World Cup debut for Pakistan:

113 - Abdullah Shafique vs SL, Hyderabad, 2023*

82 - Mohsin Khan vs SL, Swansea, 1983

78* - Asad Shafique vs ZIM, Pallekele, 2011

76 - Rameez Raja vs SL, Hyderabad (PAK), 1987

71 - Umar Akmal vs KEN, Hambantota, 2011