Pak Vs Sl: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka but miss out on T20 World Cup semis as New Zealand progress
In a decisive Super Eights fixture, pak vs sl ended with Pakistan beating Sri Lanka by five runs but still being eliminated as New Zealand clinched second place on net run-rate. The match at Pallekele saw Sahibzada Farhan score a century and break a tournament record, but Pakistan could not convert the win into a semi-final spot.
Pak Vs Sl: Match summary
In the T20 World Cup Super 8s, Group 2 at Pallekele, Pakistan posted 212-8 after Sahibzada Farhan made 100. Farhan put on a record-breaking 176 for the first wicket with Fakhar. Sri Lanka, who were already eliminated before the game, won the toss and chose to bowl. Sri Lanka passed 148 in their chase but fell five runs short.
Scorecard and key partnerships
Pakistan’s 212-8 included the 100 from Sahibzada Farhan and the 176 opening stand with Fakhar that set the platform. Farhan’s return also broke the record for most runs in a single edition of the men's T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka managed to pass 148 in the chase but were unable to overhaul Pakistan’s total, leaving the margin at five runs.
Super Eights at Pallekele
The match formed part of the ICC 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights fixtures at Pallekele Cricket Stadium in Pallekele, Sri Lanka. The game had been scheduled for Saturday, February 28, at 7pm (13: 30 GMT) in the buildup to the knockout phase. Earlier in the Super Eights stage Sri Lanka had crashed to defeats by England and New Zealand, ending their hopes of reaching the semifinals on home soil.
Net run-rate and qualification
Despite the win, Pakistan were eliminated as New Zealand clinched second place in Group 2 on net run-rate to advance to the last four. New Zealand currently held second spot in the group and their defeat by England on Friday had opened a path for Pakistan, but the net-run-rate tie-break left the Kiwis ahead. To overtake New Zealand before the game, Pakistan had needed either to beat the Sri Lankans by roughly 65 runs or to chase the target in fewer than 13 overs, with both equations dependent on the outcome of the first innings.
Pakistan selection and changes
Pakistan’s XI for the contest included selection changes: Pakistan dropped Babar, Ayub and Mirza for Nafay, Naseem and Abrar. Fast bowler Salman Mirza said Pakistan’s focus had always been on beating Sri Lanka, regardless of whether qualification hopes remained alive. Pakistan’s campaign before the match had featured a nervy three-wicket, last-over win against the Netherlands, wins over the United States and Namibia, and a heavy loss to India in Colombo. Their first Super Eight match against New Zealand was washed out in Colombo before they lost to England, the latter match marked by Harry Brook’s sparkling century in Kandy on Tuesday.
Captains' reactions and quotes
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha reflected on the match and conditions: "When I lost the toss, it was always going to be challenging because of the dew. It was a good pitch. Restricting to 148 was going to be challenging - we tried. If I'd won the toss, it would have been a different story. Dew was definitely a factor. We couldn't execute the plans we wanted to. Usman Tariq had an off-day. He's been exceptional but one off-day can happen.
"We didn't bat well in the tournament. It was only Sahibzada Farhan who batted exceptionally well. Our batting was always a concern, especially the middle order. It's been an issue for a few years now. We need to sit down and look at that department. We didn't finish the way we wanted to. In 20 overs, the opposition will have two [good] overs and that was the case. We batted really well for 18 overs. If we'd done well, scored 10-15 more, it could've been a different story. But even 160 was always going to be challenging. "
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka acknowledged the campaign and the finale: "It was a closer game at the end but unfortunately well bowled to Shaheen Afridi at the end. It's been a tough campaign. I want to say sorry to the fans because we fell down. In the future I feel this team will do well. We were missing two key bowlers and it was a big loss in terms of the World Cup. Hopefully they will return soon and do well for Sri Lankan cricket. "
Pakistan needed England to beat New Zealand handsomely in Colombo on Friday to improve their chances, and New Zealand’s result had a direct bearing on the tie. A New Zealand win would have ended Pakistan’s hopes, rendering the Sri Lanka clash in Kandy meaningless for qualification.
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That's all from this block: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by five runs but it wasn't enough to qualify for the semi-finals, with New Zealand clinching second place in Group 2 on net run-rate to advance to the last four. We'll be back on Sunday at 09: 15 GMT with the final block of Super 8 matches. First up it's South Africa versus Zimbabwe and then a winner takes all encounter between India and West Indies.
