Advertisement
Advertisement
KANDY: Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka’s heroics went in vain as Pakistan managed to seal a narrow five-run victory over Sri Lanka in the Super Eight clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Set a daunting 213, Sri Lanka fell short by five runs in the final over despite Shanaka’s 76* from 31 balls, smashing eight sixes and two fours.
Pakistan’s hopes of advancing remained till the halfway mark; however, Sri Lanka’s lower order managed to drag them out of trouble and brought them back into the contest.
Pakistan removed opener Pathum Nissanka for three in the second over.
The second wicket added 26 before Kamil Mishara fell prey to Abrar Ahmed for 25.
As a result, Sri Lanka were reduced to 33-2 in 4.1 overs.
Charith Asalanka and Pavan Rathnayake came to the fore, putting the chase back on track with a 42-run partnership. The duo batted at a brisk rate, bringing the team’s total to 75 in 8.5 overs.
It was Abrar again for Pakistan who provided the much-needed breakthrough in the shape of Asalanka’s wicket. The left-hander made 25 from 18 balls.
Sri Lanka lost a few quick wickets and were left reeling at 101-5 in 12 overs.
However, a crucial stand between Dasun Shanaka and Rathnayake not only dashed Pakistan’s hopes but also put Sri Lanka on the verge of victory.
With the Islanders requiring 28 from the last over, Shanaka tonked Shaheen for a boundary and three maximums in a row to leave the equation six from two. But the pacer eventually held his nerve and bowled two dot balls to win it for Pakistan.
For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed took three wickets in his quota of four overs.
Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan’s imperious knock ably backed by Fakhar Zaman powered Pakistan to a big total against Sri Lanka
Asked to bat first, Pakistan racked up 212-8 in 20 overs, thanks to a monumental opening partnership.
For Pakistan to qualify for the semi-final, they need to restrict Sri Lanka to 147.
Promoted to open the batting, Fakhar Zaman capitalized on the pristine conditions, adding a monumental 176-run stand alongside Sahibzada Farhan.
The pair launched an assault on the hosts, racing to 64 at the end of the powerplay.
Once the fielding restrictions were lifted, Sri Lanka tried spin from both ends, but it could not stop Zaman and Farhan going berserk. Both batters raised a century stand at the halfway mark of the innings.
In the 12th over, Zaman deposited Wellalage for a four and a six to reach his fifty on 27 balls. The carnage continued until the fifth ball of the sixth over.
Sri Lanka sniffed an opening after Zaman’s wicket, who chopped on after hitting four sixes and nine fours in his 84 from 42 balls.
The wicket sparked a collapse that halted Pakistan’s proceedings in the death overs. As a result, the Green Shirts slumped to 199-5 and 212-8 in 20 overs.
For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka picked up three wickets.
