In what is the final Group 2 game in Super 8s, Pakistan in what is a must-win game for them have gotten off to a fantastic start through Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman as the duo has torn apart the Sri Lankan bowling inside the powerplay. Sri Lanka looking flat and needs wickets on a good pitch to make a match out of this. Pakistan should get to 200 from here.
Sahibzada Farhan powers Pakistan to a fast start in powerplay.Â
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. Fakhar got a boundary away as he stepped out and slogged it through midwicket for a boundary. Dushmantha Chameera came into the attack from the other end. Farhan hung back to a delivery on middle and leg and punched the ball through cover point for a boundary.
Madushanka continued as Farhan was on the charge as he stayed leg side and lofted it over covers for a boundary. Farhan went big as he cleared his front leg and pumped it over long-off for the maximum. Maheesh Theekshana came into the attack next. Farhan then hammered the ball through covers for a boundary. Zaman then danced down the track and got to the pitch of the ball to club it over long-off for the maximum.
Chameera continued as runs continued to flow for Pakistan with Farhan taking him and launched it down the ground over long-on for the maximum. Farhan then caressed the ball through the covers for a boundary through mid-off and extra cover. The 50 came up for Pakistan in 4.4 overs. Farhan equalled Virat Kohli’s record for most runs in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.
Captain Dasun Shanaka came onto bowl next for the last over of powerplay. Farhan then welcomed Shanaka with a pull towards deep backward square leg for a boundary as Farhan broke the record of the great Virat Kohli for most runs in a single edition. Fakhar got a lifeline as Theekshana dropped a tough catch at cover point as the ball burst through the hands and went away to the fence for a boundary. Zaman then stepped out and slapped it through covers for a boundary.
At the end of the powerplay, Pakistan were 64/0 in 6 overs with Zaman unbeaten on 23 off 11 balls while Farhan was unbeaten on 40 off 25 balls. Drinks was taken as well.
Sahibzada Farhan & Fakhar Zaman powers Pakistan past 100 inside 10 overs.Â
Maheesh Theekshana came back into the attack as Fakhar was on a roll now as he stepped out and slammed it over covers for a boundary. Dunith Wellalage came back into the attack. Farhan rocked back and cut it past backward point for a boundary. Shanaka changed ends as Farhan got to another fifty in 32 balls and continued his consistent run in this World Cup. Sri Lanka were sloppy as overthrows were given away for fun. Fakhar then nicely played it away by cutting the ball past backward point for a boundary.
Wellalage continued and bowled wides for fun. Fakhar then got underneath the ball and thumped it over top of extra covers for a boundary. Then the batters took a brace as the 100 came up for Pakistan in 9.5 overs and of the partnership as well as Fakhar completed 1000 T20I runs as an opener. At the end of 10 overs, Pakistan were cruising at 102/0 with Fakhar unbeaten on 44 off 24 balls and Farhan unbeaten on 55 off 36 balls. Sri Lanka were under the pump now.
What Lies Ahead.Â
Pakistan are on fire and means business tonight. They will want to get 200+ with all 10 wickets in hand. They are 102/0 and looks downhill for Sri Lanka. Can the hosts put up a fight. This has been one way traffic in Pallekele. Pakistan on their way to the semis, New Zealand on the brink of exit. Let’s see how the next phase pans out for all of us.
Also Read:Â ICC T20 WC 2026: Pakistan Aims For Big Win For Push To Semis Spot Against Wounded Sri Lanka.