Sl Vs Pak: Pakistan eliminated as Sri Lanka pass 148 and New Zealand seal semi-final spot
In a decisive Super Eights encounter at Pallekele, Sl Vs Pak ended with Pakistan eliminated and New Zealand confirming a semi-final berth after Sri Lanka passed 148 in their chase. Pakistan’s 212-8, built on a record opening stand and a century, proved insufficient in a match that tilted the final group standings.
Sl Vs Pak: Pakistan face stiff but straightforward equation for semi-final qualification
The match carried heavy permutations. Pakistan had needed a comprehensive result against already-eliminated Sri Lanka to overhaul New Zealand on net run rate and reach the last four. New Zealand currently occupied second spot in the four-team group, but their defeat by England opened a pathway for Pakistan. To leapfrog New Zealand and set up a semi-final against South Africa, Pakistan required either a victory by roughly 65 runs or to chase Sri Lanka down in fewer than 13 overs; both equations depended on the outcome of the first innings.
Batting and turning point: Farhan, Fakhar and the collapse
Pakistan posted 212-8 after a stunning start. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman put on a record-breaking 176 for the first wicket, moving Pakistan to 176-0 in the 16th over. From that dominant position, the innings collapsed dramatically: Pakistan lost eight wickets in quick succession to finish 212-8, and that recovery was not enough. Farhan made 100 off 60 balls, with nine fours and five sixes, and Fakhar was bowled by Chameera for 84 when an inside edge was deflected onto the stumps.
Farhan finished the tournament with 383 runs at a strike rate of 160. 25, including two centuries and two half-centuries. That total is a record for the most runs in a single edition of the men’s T20 World Cup, and he became the first batter to score two centuries at one tournament in the event’s history.
Selection and match details at Pallekele Cricket Stadium
For the encounter in Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Pakistan made changes to their XI, dropping Babar, Ayub and Mirza in favour of Nafay, Naseem and Abrar. Sri Lanka, who entered the game already eliminated from semi-final contention, won the toss and elected to bowl. The fixture was scheduled as part of the ICC 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights and was played on Saturday, February 28, at 7pm (13: 30 GMT).
Group form that shaped the final day
Pakistan’s wider Super Eight and group-stage form framed the stakes. Their campaign began with a nervy three-wicket win in a last-over finish against the Netherlands before victories over the United States and Namibia, but a heavy loss to India in Colombo dented momentum. Pakistan’s first Super Eight match against New Zealand was washed out in Colombo, and they then lost to England, who benefited from Harry Brook’s century in Kandy.
Sri Lanka’s path to the Super Eights was marked by storming wins against Ireland and Oman and a shock upset over Australia that sealed their qualification from the group stage, but a surprise defeat by Zimbabwe in their final group game cost them top spot. Their Super Eights form was poor: they crashed to defeats by England and New Zealand, ending hopes of reaching the semifinals on home soil. England finished as group winners after beating both Pakistan and Sri Lanka and then claiming top spot with a win against New Zealand.
Reactions, radio coverage and what’s next
Fast bowler Salman Mirza said Pakistan’s focus had always been on beating Sri Lanka, regardless of whether qualification hopes remained alive. Pakistan had needed England to beat New Zealand handsomely in Colombo on Friday, and with that result opening a window, they now required a big victory of their own to sneak into the final four on net run rate. A New Zealand win would have ended Pakistan’s hopes and rendered a Sri Lanka match in Kandy meaningless in tournament terms.
Former England bowler Alex Hartley described the match as one of the tournament’s best games while noting that the better team progressed in New Zealand. Fans could follow live radio commentary at the top of the match page and use the 'Get Involved' button to share their views. With Pakistan eliminated and New Zealand through, the Super Eights now resolve into the semi-final match-ups determined by the completed group results.
