Pakistan's Narrow Victory Insufficient for Semi-Final Spot
Pakistan scored 212 for eight, while Sri Lanka managed 207 for six, resulting in a five-run win for Pakistan in their Group Two Super 8s match held in Pallekele on Saturday.
Despite this victory, Pakistan was eliminated from the T20 World Cup due to an inferior net run rate. To advance to the semi-finals alongside group winners England, Pakistan needed a convincing win over Sri Lanka to surpass New Zealand in the standings.
The Pakistani innings featured a record-breaking opening partnership of 176 runs between Sahibzada Farhan, who scored 100, and Fakhar Zaman, who contributed 84. This set a high target of 212 runs. To qualify for the semi-finals, Pakistan had to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 runs or fewer.
However, Sri Lanka responded strongly, finishing with 207 for six. Pavan Rathnayake scored 58 runs, while Dasun Shanaka remained unbeaten with 76 runs off 31 balls, keeping Sri Lanka's hopes alive until the final moments.
Pakistan faced the challenge of defending their highest T20 World Cup total. In the last over, bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi conceded boundaries early, with Shanaka hitting 4, 6, 6, and 6 off the first four balls. Sri Lanka required six runs off the final two deliveries. Shanaka attempted a scoop shot on the fifth ball but missed, and on the last ball, a yorker, he left it, mistakenly believing it was wide.
With this result, New Zealand advanced to the semi-finals based on net run rate. England, New Zealand, and South Africa have secured their places in the semi-finals, while India and West Indies will compete for the final spot on Sunday.
