Sri Lanka fans came for a banger game and they got it. Their team and captain didn’t disappoint despite the five-run defeat. Pakistan won but are officially out of the World Cup. Questions remain about that last wide call in the 20th over.
Sahibzada Farhan became the first batter to score two centuries in a single T20 World Cup edition, smashing 100 off 60 balls. Fakhar Zaman blazed 84 off 42 balls on his opening debut.
The pair added a record-breaking 176-run opening partnership, the highest for any wicket in T20 World Cup history. Pakistan collapsed from 176/0 to 212/8. Dasun Shanaka played a captain’s knock of 76 off 31 balls, nearly pulling off the impossible.
He smashed three consecutive sixes off Shaheen Afridi in the final over. Pavan Rathnayake contributed 58 off 37 balls. Sri Lanka finished on 207/6, five runs short. Pakistan won but couldn’t restrict Sri Lanka below 147, ending their semifinal hopes. New Zealand qualified instead.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, T20 World Cup, Super 8 Group 2 |
| Venue | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele |
| Result | Pakistan won by 5 runs |
| Pakistan | 212/8 (20 overs) |
| Sri Lanka | 207/6 (20 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Sahibzada Farhan (100) / Dasun Shanaka (76) |
| Toss | Sri Lanka won and chose to field |
First Innings Highlights
Fakhar Zaman opened alongside Sahibzada Farhan in a bold change. The pair produced a record 176-run opening stand, the highest for any wicket in T20 World Cup history. Farhan reached his fifty off 48 balls while Fakhar smashed his in just 27 balls.
Farhan became the first batter with two centuries in a single T20 World Cup edition, finishing on 100 off 60 balls with nine fours and five sixes. Fakhar contributed 84 off 42 balls with nine fours and four sixes.
Pakistan collapsed dramatically after the opening stand broke. Dilshan Madushanka dismissed both openers.
Dasun Shanaka removed Salman Agha and Mohammad Nawaz. Pakistan managed only 36 runs in the final 26 balls, losing eight wickets. They finished on 212/8. Madushanka claimed 3/33 while Shanaka took 2/42.
First Innings Best Performers
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Sahibzada Farhan | 100 runs (60 balls, 9×4, 5×6) |
| Best Bowler | Dilshan Madushanka | 4-0-33-3 |
Second Innings Highlights
Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or less to qualify. Naseem Shah removed Pathum Nissanka for 3. Abrar Ahmed struck the first ball to dismiss Kamil Mishara for 26. Charith Asalanka made 25 before Abrar claimed him.
Pavan Rathnayake steadied with 58 off 37 balls. Kamindu Mendis fell cheaply as Sri Lanka slipped to 94/5. Dasun Shanaka launched a ferocious assault, reaching his fifty off just 21 balls. Shaheen Afridi removed Rathnayake caught at long-on. Shanaka continued his heroics, smashing 76 off 31 balls.
He struck three consecutive sixes off Shaheen in the final over. Pakistan needed to defend 28 off the last over. Shanaka struck boundaries off the first four balls before two dot balls sealed the result. Sri Lanka finished on 207/6, five runs short but eliminating Pakistan. Abrar Ahmed claimed 3/23. New Zealand qualified for the semifinals.
Second Innings Best Performers
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Dasun Shanaka | 76 runs (31 balls) |
| Best Bowler | Abrar Ahmed | 4-0-23-3 |
