Pak Vs Sl: pak vs sl — Pakistan win but miss out on T20 World Cup semis as New Zealand advance
In a decisive Super 8s match at Pallekele, the pak vs sl contest saw Pakistan post 212-8, claim a five-run victory over Sri Lanka and still be eliminated as New Zealand moved into the semi-finals on net run-rate. The result settled Group 2: England top the group and New Zealand take the second automatic spot.
Pallekele scoreboard: 212-8, Farhan century and record opening stand
Pakistan finished on 212-8, powered by Sahibzada Farhan’s hundred and a record-breaking 176-run opening partnership between Farhan and Fakhar for the first wicket. Farhan’s tournament form was historic: he set a new mark for the most runs in a single edition of the men's T20 World Cup with 383 runs.
Pak Vs Sl toss, chase and decisive moments at the end
Sri Lanka, who had already been eliminated from semi-final contention before the match, won the toss and elected to bowl. Sri Lanka passed 148 in their chase but fell short by five runs; Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by five runs yet remained eliminated. New Zealand clinched second place in Group 2 on net run-rate and advanced to the last four.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka acknowledged a tight finish and singled out Shaheen Afridi’s late contribution: he said it was a closer game at the end but that the ball was "well bowled to Shaheen Afridi at the end. " Shanaka described the campaign as tough, apologised to the fans for the team’s shortfall, noted the team had been missing two key bowlers which he called a big loss, and expressed hope those players return soon.
Selection shifts and Pakistan captain’s assessment of batting issues
Pakistan made several selection changes for the match, dropping Babar, Ayub and Mirza and bringing in Nafay, Naseem and Abrar. Captain Salman Ali Agha reflected on the match conditions and Pakistan’s tournament-wide problems: he said losing the toss made things harder because of dew, described the pitch as good, and said restricting Sri Lanka to 148 would be challenging. Agha noted the team could not fully execute plans, that Usman Tariq had an off-day despite generally strong form, and that only Sahibzada Farhan had batted exceptionally well. He singled out the middle order as an ongoing concern over the past few years and said the side needs to sit down and address that department. Agha added that Pakistan batted well for 18 overs and that an extra 10–15 runs could have changed the outcome, but that even 160 would have been a challenging target.
What Pakistan needed on net run-rate and the routes to the semifinals
New Zealand had held second spot in the four-team Super 8s group, but their defeat by England earlier in the phase opened a path for Pakistan. To overtake New Zealand on net run-rate and reach the semi-finals to set up a potential semi against South Africa, Pakistan needed a dominant result: either beat Sri Lanka by roughly 65 runs or more, or chase Sri Lanka’s total in fewer than 13 overs. Both scenarios depended on the outcome of the first innings. Fast bowler Salman Mirza said Pakistan’s focus had always been on beating Sri Lanka, regardless of whether their qualification hopes remained alive. Pakistan had also needed England to beat New Zealand handsomely in Colombo to improve their position, but ultimately Pakistan themselves would have had to post a very large victory to sneak into the final four on net run-rate; New Zealand’s result meant that a New Zealand win would have ended Pakistan’s hopes and rendered the Sri Lanka clash in Kandy meaningless for qualification.
Path to Pallekele: how both teams reached the Super 8s
Pakistan’s tournament had been mixed: they began with a nervy three-wicket win over the Netherlands that finished in the last over, then recorded victories against the United States and Namibia, but suffered a heavy defeat to India in Colombo. In the Super Eights, their first match against New Zealand was washed out in Colombo before they lost to England, with England’s win in Kandy featuring Harry Brook’s sparkling century on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka’s early tournament phase saw them storm to victories over Ireland and Oman and then upset and eliminate Australia to seal qualification from their group. However, a shock defeat by Zimbabwe in their final group game cost them top spot. Sri Lanka then crashed to defeats by England and New Zealand in the Super Eights, ending hopes of reaching the semi-finals on home soil. England finished as group winners, having beaten both Pakistan and Sri Lanka and then claiming top spot with their win against New Zealand.
Looking ahead: remaining Super 8 schedule
The Super 8s schedule continues: the final block of Super 8 matches will be played on Sunday, with a 09: 15 GMT start for the block. The first game in that block is South Africa versus Zimbabwe, followed by a winner-takes-all encounter between India and West Indies. The Pakistan versus Sri Lanka match at Pallekele Cricket Stadium had been scheduled for Saturday, February 28, at 7pm local time (13: 30 GMT).
