PAK vs SL Live: Kusal Mendis Smashes Record for Fastest Century in World Cup

In the ODI World Cup, Pakistan aimed for their second victory in the tournament, playing in Hyderabad. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nisanka gave a strong performance, with Mendis reaching a century in just 65 balls.

Hasan Ali got rid of opener Kusal Perera for a duck in the second over. Shaheen Afridi had a challenging day, missing a catch. Imam-ul-Haq also dropped a chance, giving Kusal Mendis a lifeline in the seventh over. Spinner Mohammad Nawaz and Harry Rauf were brought in to bowl but couldn’t contain Mendis and Nisank a.

Mendis and Nisanka built a century partnership for the second wicket, boosting Sri Lanka’s momentum. In the 18th over, Nisanka was caught for 51 runs off Shadab’s bowling. Their 102-run partnership was Sri Lanka’s best against Pakistan in the World Cup since Dinesh Mendis and Arjuna Ranatunga’s 80-run partnership in Faisalabad in 1987.

Mendis and Sadira Samarawickrama continued the aggressive batting. Sadira’s two remarkable sixes off Harris stood out. When Shaheen returned to bowl after his initial 4-over spell, Mendis welcomed him with three consecutive fours in the 25th over. Mendis completed his century in just 65 balls, making it the fastest century by a Sri Lankan batsman in the World Cup, breaking Kumar Sangakkara’s 2015 World Cup record (70 balls against England).