Farhan, Fakhar's record stand earns Pakistan win but not semi-final spot as New Zealand quailfy

Match Overview

Sri Lanka and Pakistan locked horns in the 50th match, their last of the Super Eights of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Saturday, February 28. Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to field first.

Pakistan had a rocking start to their innings as the openers - Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman - took the team to 64 for no loss in the powerplay. Farhan, who is in the form of his life, reached his fifty off  32 balls in the ninth over as Pakistan looked set to post a huge total. Meanwhile, the insertion of Zaman into the opener's slot worked wonders for the Men in Green as the southpaw complemented his partner to form a huge partnership.

The duo kept going and crossed the 100-run mark in the 10th over as the Lankan bowlers looked clueless. The stand grew menacingly for them and Pakistan felt at ease as long as the openers were going hammer and tongs. But, Zaman's luck ran out in the 16th over when Dushmantha Chameera bowled him for 84(42). Notably, the duo set a world record partnership for any wicket in the T20 World Cups worth 176 runs off 95 balls.

Pakistan lost momentum thereafter and a flurry of wickets impacted their chances of posting more than what they could. Farhan, meanwhile, completed his second ton of the tournament in the 19th over off 59 balls. The right-hander, however, could not add any more runs to his tally as Dilshan Madushanka dismissed him for 100(60). Pakistan finished their innings at 212/8, but not before losing eight wickets for 36 runs.

To qualify for the semi-finals, Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or lower. With that goal in mind, the Pakistanis provided their team a positive start. Sri Lanka lost both their openers by the fifth over itself with just 33 runs on the board. However, Charith Asalanka and Pavan Rathnayake then combined to form an important 42-run stand off 28 balls before Abrar Ahmed bowled the left-hander for his second wicket.

The batters to come next - Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis - could not contribute much as the hopes rested on Rathnayake and skipper Shanaka. The duo came together in the 12th over when the scoreboard read 101/5. The required run rate had crept up to 14 at this stage and the game looked beyond the home team's reach. But, the pair did not give up as they built a promising stand in no time, getting boundaries on a regular basis giving the Lankans some hope. Significantly at this stage, Pakistan's chances of restricting their opposition to 147 diminished with every few balls.

Finally, the Lankans crossed the 147-run mark in the 16th over and knocked out Pakistan from the semi-finals race. But, the game was still on as Shanaka now took charge with nothing to lose. The skipper, who has conjured wins out of thin air before, was on course to do the same tonight. The right-hander went berserk to bring it down to the last ball with six runs needed. But a potential wide-ball misjudgment from Shanaka compelled him to leave the ball with the umpire deeming it a fair delivery. In the end, Pakistan won by just five runs but failed to go through as it is the Kiwis who have finished second on the table to qualify.

Top run-scorer of the match

Top wicket-taker of the match

Player of the Match

Sahibzada Farhan

Farhan did Farhan things once again tonight as the right-hander tried his best to help Pakistan qualify. The 29-year-old attacked with the same intent and manner as he had done in the tournament so far. The batter's clean striking and timing were the hallmarks of his innings as usual as Pakistan earned a realistic chance of going through at the halfway mark due to the Charsadda-born's scintillating hundred.

Notably, the Pakistani opener has extended his lead at the top of the runs chart, scoring 383 runs from six innings at an average of 76.6 and a strike rate of 160.25.

Turning Point

The record opening partnership of 176 runs set the tone for the rest of the game as even a collapse of sorts thereafter helped Pakistan post a highly challenging 213-run target. Although it could not ensure Pakistan's qualification it did make sure they won the game, no matter the slim margin.

What the captains said

Winning Team Captain, Salman Ali Agha (PAK)

"I think when I lost the toss, it was always going to be challenging because of the dew, and then it was a very good pitch and restricting them 148 is going to be a challenge. But we tried and put it, but it was always going to be challenging restricting them 148. I think if I would have won the toss, then it could have been a different story. Yeah, it was, you can say that dew was definitely a factor. But yeah, we couldn’t execute the over plans the way we wanted to. Our spin has been brilliant, but today obviously Usman had an off day. And it can happen in T20 game, he’s been exceptional and one off day can happen. But yeah, I think dew was a factor. I think we couldn’t bat well throughout the tournament. It was only Sahibzada Farhan, he batted exceptionally well. And during that period, if anyone could have helped him a bit more, could have been a different story. But yeah, the batting was always concerned throughout the tournament. Especially middle order. "

Losing Team Captain, Dasun Shanaka (SL)

"Absolutely right. So, yeah, it was that close of a game, you know, where I could have finished it. But yeah, unfortunate. Well bowled to Shaheen. (On their campaign) See, it’s been a tough campaign for us. Yes, we had few injuries. Yes we disappointed the crowd. I, you know, I want to say sorry for all these fans because, you know, unfortunately, we fell down because of those injuries. Otherwise, we could have probably made it to a semi-final. Yes, in the future, if there is no injuries, I feel that this team will do great in good tracks."

"(On him being critical of the critics) You know, sometimes as players, we feel the pressure as well. So it was a mistake by myself. So again, you know, I wanted to say sorry for all the fans to disheartening them. I will make sure I won’t do that again. I mean, not all the players. I mean, they will, you know, they will, they will thankful for each and everyone who is right behind us all over the years. So, yeah, I feel very disheartened for that. (Any young player who caught your attention?) Yeah, of course, one and only Pavan Rathnayake. He [he's] been, you know, consistent and, you know, using the crease very well. So very positive sign for Sri Lankan cricket. Yes, we do have Wellalage as well. So growing, they are growing. So hopefully bright, they will have a bright future ahead."