Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 5 runs in the last match of Super Eight stage in T20 World Cup 2026.
The national bowlers had to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 runs to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, but they failed to do so.
The match played at Paley Kale was a mere formality for Sri Lanka, while a win for Pakistan could have put them in the semi-finals by a huge margin.
In the match, Sri Lanka won the toss and invited Pakistan to bat first.
In the 16th over, Fakhar Zaman returned to the pavilion after playing a brilliant innings of 84 runs.
Pakistan was heading for the big target, but after the first wicket fell, the national team’s middle order, which entered the field without Babar Azam, failed to put up an impressive performance.
At the other end of the wicket, Sahibzada Farhan scored a magnificent second century in the World Cup. He returned to the pavilion after scoring 100 runs, while the entire Pakistani team scored 212 runs for 8 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
Apart from the two openers, 6 other players failed to reach double figures. Khawaja Nafi 2, Shadab Khan 7, Shaheen Afrini 4, Nasim Shah 1, Salman Akha and Muhammad Nawaz for zero and Usman Khan did not get out for 8 runs.
In pursuit of the goal, Nipitali tried to cash in, but failed to achieve his goals. Sri Lanka batted cautiously and passed the opening score of 147 to knock Pakistan out of the World Cup semi-finals.
Later, Sri Lanka captain Dasan Shanaka tried to turn the match in his favor with a brilliant knock in the last overs. However, Shanaka fell 5 runs short of victory.
Sri Lanka scored 207 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs, skipper Shanaka scoring 76 runs off 31 balls. Ratnanayake was dismissed for 58 runs.
On behalf of Pakistan, Ebrar Ahmed dismissed 3 players and Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Muhammad Nawaz took a wicket each.
Sahibzada Farhan was adjudged the man of the match for her brilliant century performance.
Three major changes have been made to the Pakistan team with star Babar Azam, number one batsman Saeem Ayub and youngster Salman Mirza dropped and Khawaja Nafi, Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah in the squad.
Other players in the national team were captain Salman Ali Akha, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi and Usman Tariq.
Kamil Mishara replaced Kaushal Mendes in the Sri Lanka squad. The Sri Lankan team included captain Dasan Shanaka, Patham Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Charith Aslanka, Pawan Rattananayake, Kamando Mendis, Janeth Liyanage, Dinath Velalage, Mahesh Thiekshana, Dushmantha Chimera and Dilshan Madhushanka.
