[Watch] Matheesha Pathirana's Magical Ball Sends Abdullah Shafique Packing

Abdullah Shafique celebrates his century in a style [AP]

The World Cup 2023 clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. Pakistan was chasing a formidable target of 345 runs, and after losing their top-order batsmen early, the pressure was mounting. The spotlight then fell on Abdullah Shafique, who showed his mettle by slamming his first century in international cricket.

Abdullah Shafique's sublime innings provided a glimmer of hope for Pakistan, but in the 34th over, a moment of sheer brilliance changed the course of the game. Pathirana, Sri Lanka's left-arm spinner, was reintroduced into the attack, and what followed was nothing short of cricketing magic.

As Shafique attempted to cut a delivery from Pathirana, he unleashed a powerful shot towards backward point. The ball seemed destined for the boundary, but the substitute fielder, Dushan Hemantha, had other plans. With lightning reflexes and an incredible dive to his right, Hemantha plucked the ball out of thin air while still in mid-air, leaving the crowd in awe.

Watch the video here:

The stadium erupted in applause as Shafique, with disappointment etched on his face, trudged back to the pavilion. His brilliant century had come to an end, and Pakistan's hopes of victory now rested on the shoulders of their remaining batsmen.

At the time of writing, Pakistan was at 228 for 3 in 35 overs, requiring 117 runs in just 90 balls to secure a remarkable win.

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