On Saturday, October 7 at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, the fourth match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 between South Africa and Sri Lanka broke numerous records. In the history of the ODI World Cup, the South African bats put on an astounding performance as they scored the highest team total. No Sri Lankan bowler was spared as Quinton de Kock (100 off 84), Rassie van der Dussen (108 off 110), and Aiden Markram (106 off 54) all struck hundreds.
Matheesha Pathirana, a right-arm seamer making his World Cup debut, even gave up 26 runs in the 43rd over before Markram brought him to task. Pathirana bowled four wides immediately after Markram hit the second ball of the over for a four down the ground.
Markram persisted in his attack, smashing the following two balls for fours and taking a single off the fifth offering. By pulling him for a huge six over deep square leg to make 26 runs off the over, the right-handed batter put the finishing touches on the over.
Watch the bizarre over here:
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As he continued his remarkable performance, Markram set a new ODI World Cup record by reaching 100 runs in just 49 balls, cementing his place in history. In just 54 balls, the 29-year-old scored 106 runs while hitting 14 fours and three sixes. Kevin O’Brien of Ireland, who had accomplished the record in 50 balls against England in Bengaluru during the 2011 World Cup, was left in his wake.
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Eighth ODI 400-point performance by South Africa
In his innings, Markram hit 14 fours and three sixes, scoring 106 runs off just 54 balls. Pathirana’s onslaught allowed him to end his ten-over performance with figures of 1/95, the most expensive in World Cup history for a Sri Lankan bowler.
The only side to accomplish the milestone more than once is South Africa, which broke the 400-run barrier for the third time in World Cup history. In addition, it was their eighth 400-plus total in ODI history, making them the team with the most 400-plus totals, ahead of India, which has done so six times.
Checkout more highlights from the SA vs SL Match 4 here:
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