# T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan Win But Miss Out on Semifinals

URL: https://technosports.co.in/t20-world-cup-2026-pakistan-win-miss-out-semi/  
Published: 2026-03-01  
Updated: 2026-03-01  
Author: Ankush Mallick

In one of the most dramatic matches of the [T20 World Cup 2026](https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026), Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by five runs in Pallekele but still crashed out of the tournament as New Zealand secured the second semifinal spot from Group 2 on superior net run rate. Sahibzada Farhan’s record-breaking century and Fakhar Zaman’s blistering 84 off 42 balls set up a thrilling contest, while Dasun Shanaka’s breathtaking unbeaten 76 off just 31 balls nearly pulled off a miraculous chase that ended in heartbreak on the final delivery.

## Match Summary

| **Team** | **Score** | **Result** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Pakistan** | 212/8 (20 overs) | Won by 5 runs |
| **Sri Lanka** | 207/6 (20 overs) | Lost |
| **Qualification** | – | New Zealand advance to semifinals |

## The Mathematics of Elimination

Having posted 212 runs, Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or lower to qualify for the semifinals ahead of New Zealand. The equation was clear: win by approximately 65 runs or go home. For a large part of their innings, Pakistan were in business with the required margin seemingly within reach. However, Sri Lanka had nothing riding on this contest after their earlier elimination and produced a performance that nearly embarrassed the Men in Green.

![T20 World Cup 2026](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Sri-Lanka-vs-Pakistan-819x1024.jpg)

The match first had the makings of a one-sided canter before swaying into balance and then pivoting in Pakistan’s favor, even as the margin proved insufficient for qualification. Despite the victory, Pakistan found themselves exiting the tournament with New Zealand marching to the semifinals with a superior net run rate.

## Pakistan’s Explosive Start

Pakistan made three significant changes to their lineup, dropping Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Salman Mirza to bring in Khawaja Nafay, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed. These desperate times called for desperate measures, and the decision to open with Fakhar Zaman alongside Sahibzada Farhan worked like a charm.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Sahibzada-1-819x1024.jpg)

The openers came out with menacing intent from the first ball. Facing his second delivery, Fakhar stepped out and slogged Dilshan Madushanka through midwicket for four, setting the tone for what would become a record-breaking partnership. From the other end, Farhan steered Dushmantha Chameera through cover-point before launching Madushanka for a four and six in the third over.

The carnage extended well beyond the powerplay as Pakistan raced to 64 for 0 at the end of the first six overs. Sri Lanka simply could not find their lengths early on, bowling ordinary deliveries that the openers capitalized on ruthlessly. Even after the field restrictions were lifted, the duo kept finding the boundary with alarming regularity.

## Record-Breaking Partnership

The 11th over proved to be the first and only boundary-less over of Pakistan’s innings. By then, they had already crossed 100 runs, with Farhan bringing up his fifty. Fakhar reached his half-century in the following over off just 27 balls—five fewer than his opening partner—showcasing his aggressive intent.

The partnership soon reached 176 runs, establishing a new record for the highest partnership for any wicket in T20 World Cup history. This surpassed the previous best of 175, set by New Zealand’s Finn Allen and Tim Seifert against UAE just days earlier. The stand was eventually broken in the 16th over when Chameera had Fakhar dragging a wide delivery onto his stumps for a magnificent 84.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Sahibzada-Farhan-Fakhar-Zaman-819x1024.jpg)

Both batters had raced past fifty, with Fakhar at one point even outscoring Farhan despite the latter’s earlier start. Throughout their partnership, Sri Lanka’s fielding woes compounded their bowling struggles, with multiple dropped catches haunting them.

## Farhan’s Historic Achievement

Sahibzada Farhan’s performance will be remembered for years to come in T20 World Cup 2026 annals. His unbeaten century was his second of the tournament, making him the first player ever to score two hundreds in a single edition of the T20 World Cup. No other batter has achieved this feat in the tournament’s history.

En route to his hundred, Farhan also rewrote the record books by surpassing Virat Kohli’s tally for most runs in a single edition of the Men’s T20 World Cup. With a hook to the fine leg fence well inside the fifth over, he eclipsed Kohli’s 2014 record of 319 runs. Farhan finished the tournament with 383 runs, a mark that may stand for years.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Sahibzada-2-1024x683.jpg)

The 24-year-old brought up his century off 59 balls, showcasing the full range of his strokeplay. Sri Lanka dropped him twice during his innings—Dunith Wellalage shelled a chance when he was on 75, and Janith Liyanage caught him on 76 but stepped onto the boundary cushion, giving him a reprieve.

## The Death Overs Collapse

After the massive opening stand, Pakistan looked set for a total exceeding 220. However, the last four overs brought disaster as they managed only 35 runs while losing seven wickets. The bowlers, collectively aiming for the block hole, finally found their lengths. Dilshan Madushanka was the only bowler who covered himself in glory, finishing with figures of 3 for 33.

Khawaja Nafay and Shadab Khan were promoted up the order following Fakhar’s dismissal, but the gambit did not pay off. Pakistan kept losing wickets at the death in search of quick runs that simply didn’t come. As it would turn out, the bowlers did admirably well to concede just 35 runs off the last four overs, limiting Pakistan’s cushion and ultimately contributing to their elimination.

Sri Lanka’s catching epidemic finally came to an end as they held onto their chances in the closing stages. Pakistan eventually posted 212 for 8—a competitive total but potentially 15-20 runs short of what they needed for semifinal qualification.

## Pakistan Bowling Performance

| **Bowler** | **Overs** | **Runs** | **Wickets** | **Economy** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Abrar Ahmed** | 4 | 23 | 3 | 5.75 |
| **Naseem Shah** | 4 | 45 | 1 | 11.25 |
| **Shaheen Afridi** | 4 | 47 | 1 | 11.75 |
| **Shadab Khan** | 4 | 41 | 0 | 10.25 |
| **Mohammad Nawaz** | 2 | 21 | 1 | 10.50 |
| **Usman Tariq** | 2 | 30 | 0 | 15.00 |

## Sri Lanka’s Poor Start

Sri Lanka’s chase began disastrously when Pathum Nissanka completely misread a back-of-the-hand slower delivery from Naseem Shah, who was playing his first match of the World Cup. With Nissanka backing away early, Naseem slipped in the slower ball full and wide outside off. The opener reached for it but could only lob it towards extra cover where Mohammad Nawaz back-pedalled to complete the catch.

Kamil Mishara pierced the gaps off Shaheen Afridi and began positively, providing some early momentum. However, Abrar Ahmed’s early introduction in the fifth over paid immediate dividends as he cleaned up Mishara with his very first delivery for 26 off 15 balls.

A missed run-out chance off the last ball of the fifth over could have further derailed Sri Lanka’s chase. With Charith Asalanka ending the powerplay with a six off Naseem, things were interestingly poised even as Sri Lanka stood at 49 for 2, well behind the required rate but still in the contest.

## The Middle Order Resistance

Unlike the usual pattern in this tournament, Pakistan had no choice but to introduce Usman Tariq much earlier than preferred. Asalanka immediately imposed himself on the spinner with a four and a six, looking to seize the initiative. Khawaja Nafay shelled a tough chance at cover to give Asalanka a lifeline, but the left-hander hurt his hand putting in a dive later in the over.

Asalanka and Pavan Rathnayake took Sri Lanka to 75 in the ninth over before Abrar struck again. He beat Asalanka’s attempted slog sweep to bowl him for a valuable 28. With the final ball of his spell, Abrar sent back Kamindu Mendis as well, finishing with excellent figures of 3 for 23.

When Mohammad Nawaz castled Janith Liyanage, leaving Sri Lanka at 101 for 5, Pakistan’s hopes were renewed. They had clawed back into a position where the required margin for qualification seemed achievable.

## Rathnayake and Shanaka’s Counterattack

Just when Pakistan thought they were in control, Pavan Rathnayake and Dasun Shanaka launched a ferocious counterattack. Rathnayake had made Pakistan pay for the missed run-out chance in the powerplay, peppering the fence to eat away at the deficit that stood between Pakistan and elimination.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Pavan-Rathnayake-819x1024.jpg)

The pair consolidated initially before going on the attack. In the space of just ten balls, they hit four sixes and a four, completely shifting the momentum. Rathnayake slammed two sixes off Shadab Khan to raise his half-century off 32 balls.

The crucial moment came when Shanaka picked up a single off Usman Tariq to take Sri Lanka to 148 in the 16th over. This meant Sri Lanka had breached the target that would have sent Pakistan through, officially sealing Pakistan’s fate regardless of the match result. The co-hosts had eliminated their opponents from the tournament even before the game was decided.

## Shanaka’s Astonishing Assault

Despite knowing their tournament was already over, Sri Lanka still needed 62 runs from the last four overs, then 46 from the last two. While it seemed an impossible stretch, captain Dasun Shanaka clearly had other ideas.

He started the 17th over with a six off Naseem Shah before Shaheen Afridi came on for the 18th over. The veteran left-armer gave away only six runs and crucially removed the dangerous Rathnayake for 58, seemingly tilting the game back in Pakistan’s favor.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Dasun-Shanaka.jpg)
*Dasun Shanaka*

But Shanaka refused to give up. With 46 required from 12 balls, he clobbered Shadab Khan for two massive sixes in the 19th over, keeping Sri Lanka’s slim hopes alive. The equation came down to 28 runs needed off the last over—a tall ask but not impossible given Shanaka’s form.

## The Dramatic Final Over

When Shaheen Afridi came on to bowl the final over, all he seemingly needed were two good deliveries to seal the victory. However, Shanaka had transcended into a different zone. He started with a four before launching three consecutive sixes—6, 6, 6—to send the Pallekele crowd into absolute frenzy.

From needing 28 off six balls, Sri Lanka now required just six runs from two deliveries. The impossible had become achievable. The entire stadium was on its feet as Shanaka shaped up for the penultimate delivery.

Afridi went full and wide outside off stump in an attempt to keep the ball away from Shanaka’s hitting arc. The Sri Lankan captain shaped up for a paddle sweep initially but, seeing the ball’s line, tried to convert it into a reverse scoop at the last moment. He couldn’t connect, leaving six runs needed from the final ball.

## The Controversial Ending

For the final delivery, Afridi once again went full and wide outside off, attempting to deny Shanaka any room to work with. Shanaka left it alone, expecting it to be called a wide. The ball flirted dangerously with the wide line, and on most days, the decision would likely have gone in the batter’s favor.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Sri-Lanka-vs-Pakistan-1-819x1024.jpg)

However, the on-field umpire remained unmoved and deemed it a legal delivery. The stadium fell silent as the realization dawned that the game was over. Pakistan had won by five runs. Shanaka stood crestfallen, left stranded on an unbeaten 76 off just 31 balls—one of the greatest T20 innings that ended in a losing cause.

The decision proved highly contentious, with replays suggesting the delivery was extremely tight. While technically within the wide lines, it was about as close as a legal delivery could be. The anti-climactic ending robbed the match of a potential super over and left fans debating the umpire’s call.

## Key Partnerships

| **Partnership** | **Runs** | **Balls** | **Wicket** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Farhan-Fakhar (Pakistan) | 176 | 95 | 1st wicket |
| Rathnayake-Shanaka (Sri Lanka) | 106* | 52 | 6th wicket |

## Player of the Match: Sahibzada Farhan

Despite the bittersweet outcome, Sahibzada Farhan received the Player of the Match award for his historic century. His 100 off 59 balls included 11 fours and 6 sixes, showcasing aggressive intent throughout his innings. More importantly, his overall tournament performance—383 runs at an average of 63.83 with two hundreds—established him as one of the standout performers of the T20 World Cup 2026.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Sahibzada-819x1024.jpg)

In the post-match presentation, an emotional Farhan reflected on the mixed feelings: “***It’s always special to score a hundred in a World Cup, and to break records is something I’ll cherish forever. But we came here to win the tournament, not just matches. It’s heartbreaking that we’re going home despite winning today***.”

## Tournament Implications

The result confirmed New Zealand as the second team from Group 2 to qualify for the semifinals, joining the group winners. Pakistan’s elimination despite the victory highlighted the importance of net run rate in tournament cricket. Their earlier losses and narrow victories had left them vulnerable, requiring an improbable margin of victory in this final group match.

For Sri Lanka, the tournament ended in disappointment as co-hosts. Despite pockets of brilliant individual performances, including Shanaka’s heroics in this match, they couldn’t string together consistent results in the Super Eights stage. The loss of key matches earlier in the tournament had already sealed their fate before this game.

## Statistical Highlights

**Sahibzada Farhan’s Tournament Records:**

- Most runs in a single T20 World Cup edition: 383 runs (breaking Virat Kohli’s 319 in 2014)
- First player to score two centuries in a single T20 World Cup edition
- Second century: 100 off 59 balls vs Sri Lanka

**Match Records:**

- Highest partnership for any wicket in T20 World Cup history: 176 by Farhan and Fakhar (breaking Allen-Seifert’s 175)
- Fastest fifty partnerships of the match: Farhan (32 balls), Fakhar (27 balls), Rathnayake (32 balls)

**Dasun Shanaka’s Heroics:**

- 76* off 31 balls (strike rate: 245.16)
- Hit 4, 6, 6, 6 in the final over before the dramatic finish
- Nearly pulled off one of the greatest T20 World Cup chases

Read More: [Matt Henry to Leave T20 World Cup 2026 After England Match for Birth of Second Child](https://technosports.co.in/matt-henry-leave-t20-world-cup-2026-birth-child/)

## FAQs

### Did Pakistan qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals?

No, despite beating Sri Lanka by 5 runs, Pakistan were eliminated as New Zealand qualified from Group 2 with a superior net run rate.

### What records did Sahibzada Farhan break?

Farhan became the first player to score two centuries in a single T20 World Cup edition and broke Virat Kohli’s record for most runs in a T20 World Cup with 383 runs.

### What was the highest partnership in the match?

Farhan and Fakhar Zaman’s 176-run opening stand became the highest partnership for any wicket in T20 World Cup history.

### How many runs did Pakistan need to restrict Sri Lanka to for qualification?

Pakistan needed to keep Sri Lanka to 147 or below to qualify for the semifinals, but Sri Lanka reached 148 in the 16th over.

### What happened on the final ball of the match?

Needing 6 off the last ball, Dasun Shanaka left a wide delivery from Shaheen Afridi expecting a wide call, but the umpire deemed it legal, ending the match controversially with Pakistan winning by 5 runs.