Dasun Shanaka’s remarkable late surge wasn’t enough to save Sri Lanka from a narrow five-run loss, but it did eliminate Pakistan from the T20 World Cup as New Zealand advanced to the semifinals alongside
England from Group 2 on Saturday.
Needing 28 runs from the final over, the Sri Lankan captain hammered Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/48) for three consecutive sixes and a four, reducing the target to six off the final ball. However, Shanaka chose not to play the last delivery, hoping for a wide call, which the umpire did not grant.
Shanaka’s explosive innings featured eight sixes and two fours, scoring an unbeaten 76 off just 31 balls. Sri Lanka ended at 206/7, chasing Pakistan’s 212/8. Pakistan had to restrict Sri Lanka to below 147 runs to surpass New Zealand’s net run rate of 1.390 and reach the semifinals.
Despite Sahibzada Farhan‘s (100) second century of the tournament and his record 176-run partnership with Fakhar Zaman (84) — the highest for any wicket in T20 World Cup history — Pakistan faltered due to a late collapse, losing eight wickets for 36 runs in the last four overs.
Pakistan’s innings crumbled from 176/0 in the 16th over to 212/8, with Sri Lankan bowlers finding their rhythm.
Needing a victory margin of at least 64 runs to advance, Pakistan found little support apart from Abrar Ahmed’s impressive spell of 4-0-23-3.
Sri Lanka, initially struggling at 101/5 in the 12th over, staged a comeback with Pavan Rathnayake’s 58 (37 balls; 4x4s, 3x6s) and Shanaka’s heroics in a 61-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
England, having won all three of their Super Eights matches, topped Group 2, while New Zealand qualified as the second team.
It was a bitter end for Pakistan’s Farhan, who surpassed Virat Kohli’s record of 319 runs in a single T20 World Cup edition. The 29-year-old finished with 383 runs in seven matches, averaging 76.60 and boasting a strike rate of 160.25, with two centuries and two fifties.
Sri Lanka’s chase began tentatively on a flat pitch as Naseem Shah dismissed opener Pathum Nissanka (3) with a slower delivery outside off. Kamil Mishara (26) and Charith Asalanka (25) couldn’t convert their starts.
Abrar Ahmed excelled with his accuracy, taking out Mishara, Asalanka, and Kamindu Mendis (3) by hitting the stumps.
Earlier, Farhan and Fakhar Zaman’s record partnership set up Pakistan’s big total.
Pakistan’s aggressive start saw Sri Lanka struggle in the field during most of the first innings. Zaman, scoring 84 off 42 balls, benefited from two lifelines and capitalized on Sri Lanka’s inconsistent bowling.
Zaman hit nine fours and four sixes, punishing the Sri Lankan bowlers for feeding his hitting zone.
On 15, Zaman’s shot slipped through Maheesh Theekshana’s hands for a boundary off Dasun Shanaka. On 46, Sri Lanka missed a DRS appeal for a caught behind despite their wicketkeeper’s strong appeal.
Farhan (100 off 60 balls, 9x4s, 5x6s) drove Pakistan’s early momentum, reaching 50 runs before the fifth over.
Sri Lanka’s lack of strategy and discipline against the in-form batter was evident as they repeatedly bowled wide deliveries that Farhan easily scored from.
Farhan had luck on his side. In the 15th over’s final ball, Dunith Wellalage, running in from long-off, dropped a catch, giving Farhan the first of his two lifelines. Wellalage then checked his finger, forgetting the ball was still in play.
In the 16th over’s first ball, Janith Liyanage stepped on the boundary rope while catching Farhan, allowing him to continue.
However, a series of wickets, including Farhan’s right after his century, prevented Pakistan from adding extra runs.
