Pakistan managed to get the win in the end but it was not enough as they won by 5 runs as England and New Zealand went through to the semi-finals from Group 2. Pakistan came all guns blazing through Sahibzada Farhan century and Fakhar Zaman’s 84 but they collapsed towards the end to finish with 212/8 in 20 overs from being 176/0 inside 16 overs at one stage.
In reply, Sri Lanka were going for 148 first to knock Pakistan out and then went for the win as Dasun Shanaka put on a show towards the end as his blinder of 76 off 31 balls unbeaten almost took the Sri Lankan side to an unlikely win. Pavan Rathnayake played well for his 58 but Sri Lanka got to 200+ and brought it down to 6 off 2 balls before Afridi held his nerve for the win. Pakistan wins but both teams can bow out of the tournament.
Sahibzada Farhan’s superlative ton & Fakhar Zaman’s explosive 84 powered Pakistan to 212/8Â
Put into bat first, Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman came out to bat for Pakistan while Dilshan Madushanka had ball in hand for Sri Lanka. After playing the initial overs, the openers decided to put on a show. Farhan was the initial aggressor in the powerplay and clattered the bowling while Fakhar Zaman got in and complimented him well. It was dominance from the duo from here.
The powerplay score was 64/0 in 6 overs. Drinks was taken as well. The carnage continued after the break as well as Fakhar pressed on the accelerator and it was a joy to watch this refreshing side from Pakistan. The 100-run stand came up as the score went to 102/0 in 10 overs. But the magic was not done yet. The duo just tore apart the bowling and aced the middle phase of the game. Both got past their 50s and looked good to get a big score.
After 15 overs, Pakistan were 163/0 and at this stage 220-230 looked good. But then the comeback happened from Sri Lanka. The duo put on an amazing 176 run-stand inside 16 overs before Fakhar fell for 84 off 42 balls with 9 fours and 4 sixes to his name to Dushmantha Chameera. From here, things went downhill for Pakistan.
Khawaja Nafay came in and fell for 2 off 3 balls with 3 runs added to the tally as Madushanka got his man. Shadab Khan came out to bat next. Farhan continued and completed his ton as he added 19 runs with Shadab before Shadab was run out for 7 off 5 balls with one four to his name. Mohammad Nawaz came out to bat next and fell first ball for a golden duck. Just one run was added to the tally as Nawaz fell to Dasun Shanaka. Salman Ali Agha the captain came and fell for a silver duck. No run was added to the score as Salman fell to Shanaka again. Usman Khan came out to bat next.
Just 4 runs were added to the tally before a magnificent innings from Farhan came to an end as he fell for exactly 100 off 60 balls with 9 fours and 5 sixes to his name to Madushanka. Shaheen Afridi came out to bat next and he got a boundary away. Then Afridi was pinged LBW for 4 off 2 balls to Madushanka. Naseem Shah came out to bat next. Just 3 runs were added to the tally before Naseem was run out for 1 off 1 ball. Abrar Ahmed came out to bat next.
Usman got a brace as Pakistan were in the end restricted to 212/8 in 20 overs losing their last 8 wickets for 34 runs. Usman remained unbeaten on 8 off 4 balls with one boundary to his name. 6 extras given by the fielding side.
Dilshan Madushanka finished with 3/33 in 4 overs. Dasun Shanaka finished with 2/42 in 4 overs. Dushmantha Chameera finished with 1/48 in 4 overs. Maheesh Theekshana finished with 0/35 in 4 overs. Dunith Wellalage finished with 0/27 in 3 overs. Janith Liyanage finished with an over for 14 runs. Sri Lanka needed 213 runs to win the contest off 20 overs and the main equation is 147 runs or less for Pakistan to qualify for the semis.
Dasun Shanaka’s heroics went in vain as Pakistan holds nerve to win by 5 runs but bow out of the tournamentÂ
Chasing 213 for the win, Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara came out to bat for Sri Lanka while Shaheen Afridi had ball in hand for Pakistan. Sri Lanka got off to a shaky start as Nissanka fell for 3 off 7 balls to Naseem Shah. Charith Asalanka came out to bat next. Mishara played his shots and looked good and Asalanka also got off to a steady start. The duo managed to add 25 runs for the second wicket before Mishara fell for 26 off 15 balls with 4 fours and one six to his name to Abrar Ahmed.
Pavan Rathnayake came out to bat next. Sri Lanka reached 49/2 in 6 overs of powerplay. The duo for the third wicket added 42 runs for the third wicket before Asalanka fell for 25 off 18 balls with one four and two sixes to his name to Abrar yet again. Kamindu Mendis came out to bat next. Sri Lanka reached 85/3 in 10 overs and did not show intent to win but first mission was to knock Pakistan out. The duo added 19 runs for the 4th wicket before Mendis fell for 3 off 6 balls to Abrar.
Janith Liyanage came out to bat and got a lucky boundary yet again. Sri Lanka soon passed 100 run mark before Liyanage fell for 5 off 3 balls with one boundary to his name. Captain Dasun Shanaka came out to bat next. Shanaka and Rathnayake got together and then built a partnership. Both started to attack Pakistan and soon, the 148 run target was achieved as Pakistan were knocked out of the tournament. But Sri Lanka now went for the target as Rathnayake got to his half-century as well.
The duo added a crucial 61 runs for the 6th wicket before Rathnayake fell for 58 off 37 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes to his name to Afridi. Dunith Wellalage came out to bat next. But then it was the Shanaka show as he suddenly came from behind to go for the chase. Wellalage was a mere spectator as Shanaka put on a show for the ages as some lusty blows were hit.
Shanaka brought the equation down to 28 needed off 6 balls and then hit some lusty blows as he hit sixes for fun and brought the equation down to 6 off 2 balls as Afridi felt the heat. But then Shanaka tried to be too cute and missed the ball wide outside the off-stump inside the tram line as Pakistan held their nerves to eke out a 5-run win over Sri Lanka. Shanaka was unbeaten on 76 off 31 balls with 2 fours and 8 sixes to his name. Wellalage was unbeaten on 2 off 3 balls. 9 extras given by the fielding side as Sri Lanka finished with 207/6 in 20 overs. 9 extras given by the fielding side.
Pakistan bowled just about well with Abrar Ahmed being the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/23 in 4 overs. Naseem Shah finished with 1/36 in 4 overs. Shaheen Afridi finished with 1/48 in 4 overs. Mohammad Nawaz finished with 1/21 in 2 overs. Usman Tariq finished with 0/43 in 4 overs. Shadab Khan finished with 0/33 in 2 overs. So, Pakistan win by 5 runs to end with a win but bow out of the tournament. Sahibzada Farhan was adjudged the Player of the Match.
What Lies Ahead
So, both teams bow out of the tournament with Pakistan finishing on 3 points while Sri Lanka finishes with 0 points. England and New Zealand go through from Group 2. Two Group 1 games tomorrow. First up it will be Zimbabwe vs South Africa in New Delhi at 3 PM IST in a dead rubber. Then we will have the virtual quarter final where India takes on West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata from 7 PM IST. Winner takes all match. Winner goes through, loser goes home.
Super Sunday awaits us and let’s see what’s instore for us in Kolkata tomorrow evening.
Also Read:Â ICC T20 WC 2026: Pakistan Strikes Early In Defence Of Their Target.