Pakistan opted for a surprising review against Sri Lanka in Match 8 of ICC Men’s World Cup 2023, at Hyderabad on October 10.

Sri Lanka set themselves up for a big score after Dasun Shanaka opted to bat against Pakistan. Kusal Mendis smashed his way to the sixth-fastest hundred in World Cup history and went on to make 122 in 77 balls. He hit 14 fours and six sixes.

Mendis added 102 for the second wicket with Pathum Nissanka (51 in 61 balls, seven fours, one six) and Sadeera Samarawickrama. By the time he fell, Sri Lanka had raced to 218 inside 29 overs.

Dhananjaya de Silva joined Samarawickrama when Hasan Ali (4-71) struck twice in quick succession to remove Mendis and Charith Asalanka. Shaheen Shah Afridi came on to bowl the 37th over. De Silva defended the first ball and lofted the second over mid-off for four.

Shaheen responded well, beating the outside edge. He appealed for caught-behind, but turned out to be the only one who thought on those lines. Even wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, a habitual appealer, was not remotely interested.

“Where is Babar?” asked a confused Ramiz Raja as vice-captain Shadab Khan joined a small huddle with Shaheen and Rizwan to discuss whether to send the decision upstairs. A few seconds passed before Ramiz realised that Babar Azam, the Pakistan captain, had left the ground, leaving Shadab in charge.

Convinced by Shaheen, Shadab opted for the review. Television umpire Nitin Menon was quick to spot the daylight between the bat and the ball, and de Silva continued.

Shaheen eventually got de Silva when he caught him, off Mohammad Nawaz.

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