Half-centuries from skipper Dasun Shanaka and Pavan Rathnayake were not enough as Sri Lanka ended their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign without a win in the Super Eight stage, going down to Pakistan by five runs in a last-over thriller at Pallekele on Saturday.
Despite a strong group-stage showing with three wins and one loss, Sri Lanka failed to register a victory in the Super Eight phase. Pakistan, though victorious, were unable to improve their net run rate sufficiently to secure a semifinal berth.
Earlier, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Pakistan openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman made them regret that decision, stitching together a 176-run opening stand — the highest partnership in T20 World Cup history.
Farhan struck 100 off 60 balls, hitting nine fours and five sixes, while Fakhar hammered 84 off 42 deliveries, including nine fours and four sixes. The partnership laid the foundation for Pakistan’s 212/8.
Sri Lanka fought back through Dilshan Madushanka (3/33), Shanaka (2/42) and Dushmantha Chameera (1/48), restricting Pakistan after the massive opening stand.
Farhan’s century was historic. He overtook Virat Kohli for the most runs in a single edition of the T20 World Cup and became the first batter to score two centuries in the same edition. He also joined Chris Gayle with two T20 World Cup hundreds, though both of Farhan’s came in a single tournament. Only Babar Azam has more T20I centuries for Pakistan.
In seven matches, Farhan has amassed 383 runs at an average of 76.60 and a strike rate of 160.25, including two centuries and two fifties. He also registered four fifty-plus scores in the tournament, matching tallies previously achieved by Matthew Hayden, Kohli and Babar in past editions. His 18 sixes in the tournament are the most in a single edition.
Chasing 213, Sri Lanka lost Pathum Nissanka early to Naseem Shah. Contributions from Kamil Mishara and Charith Asalanka kept the innings afloat before Abrar Ahmed struck thrice to leave Sri Lanka at 101/5 in 12 overs.
Rathnayake’s 58 off 37 balls and Shanaka’s explosive unbeaten 76 off 31 revived hopes with a 61-run partnership. Needing 28 in the final over, Shanaka hit a four and three successive sixes off Shaheen Shah Afridi, but two dot balls in the over proved decisive as Sri Lanka fell short by five runs.
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