Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 5 runs in a thrilling Super 8 encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, but the narrow win was not enough to take them into the semi-finals. Pakistan needed at least a 65-run victory to progress, yet despite posting 212/8 in 20 overs, Sri Lanka managed 207/6 in reply, allowing New Zealand to seal their place in the semis.
Electing to bat first, Pakistan’s openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman set the tone from the outset. Both played aggressively, punishing the Sri Lankan bowlers with a mix of big shots and clever placement.
The duo scored 64 runs without losing a wicket in the powerplay. Their partnership continued to flourish, eventually putting on 178 runs off just 95 balls. Fakhar fell for 84 from 42 balls, narrowly missing a century, while Farhan went on to complete his second T20 World Cup century, scoring 100 off 60 balls before being dismissed at 203.
After the openers’ departure, Pakistan’s momentum slowed, with no other batsman reaching double figures. Nevertheless, Pakistan finished with a competitive total of 212/8 in 20 overs.
Top bowlers for Sri Lanka: Dilshan Madushanka 3 wickets, Dasun Shanaka 2, Dushmantha Chameera 1.
Chasing 213, Sri Lanka lost Pathum Nissanka early for 3 from 7 balls. Kamil Mishara and Charith Asalanka tried to steady the innings but fell cheaply, leaving the score at 33 for 3. By the end of the powerplay, Sri Lanka were 49 for 5.
Pavan Rathnayake and Dasun Shanaka then rebuilt the innings with aggressive batting. Rathnayake scored 58 from 37 balls before being dismissed at 162. Shanaka continued to anchor the chase, hitting boundaries and taking calculated risks, scoring a powerful 76 off 31 balls.
Sri Lanka required 28 runs from the final over. Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early, conceding a four and then three consecutive sixes, bringing the equation down to six runs from two balls. Shanaka could not find the remaining runs, and Pakistan secured a narrow 5-run win.
Key bowlers for Pakistan: Abrar Ahmed 3 wickets, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz, and Naseem Shah 1 each.
