COLOMBO: Pakistan defeated hosts Sri Lanka by five runs in a crucial Super Eight match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, but failed to qualify for the semi-finals due to an insufficient net run rate.
Both Pakistan and New Zealand finished the Super Eight stage with three points, however New Zealand advanced to the semi-finals due to a superior net run rate.
Batting first after Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and opted to field, Pakistan posted a formidable total of 212 runs for the loss of four wickets in their 20 overs, setting Sri Lanka a target of 213. The opening pair of Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman provided a blazing start. Pakistan reached 64 runs in the powerplay, with Farhan racing to 40 and Fakhar contributing 23 at that stage.
Farhan brought up his half-century off 32 balls and continued his aggressive stroke play, while Fakhar also completed a fluent fifty. By the end of 15 overs, Pakistan had surged to 163 runs, with Fakhar on 84 and Farhan on 76. Fakhar was eventually bowled by Dushmantha Chameera for 84 off 42 balls, an innings that included nine fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 200. Farhan went on to complete his century in the 19th over and was later named Player of the Match for his outstanding knock.
Despite the strong total, Pakistan needed more than just a win to qualify for the semi-finals. To surpass New Zealand on net run rate, Pakistan had to restrict Sri Lanka to approximately 145 runs, which required maintaining a tight bowling performance and keeping Sri Lanka’s scoring rate below seven runs per over throughout the innings.
Sri Lanka’s chase began steadily, although early wickets fell. Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for eight, and Kamil Mishara scored a quick 26 off 15 balls before being sent back. Pawan Rathnayake then counterattacked with an impressive 58 off 37 deliveries, helping Sri Lanka maintain a healthy run rate. Charith Asalanka added 25, while middle-order contributions kept Sri Lanka in contention.
Although Pakistan picked up wickets at intervals, they were unable to control the scoring rate. Dasun Shanaka played a late explosive innings, smashing multiple sixes in the final overs, including three sixes off Shaheen Afridi in the 20th over. Sri Lanka finished on 207 for six, falling just five runs short of the target.
While Pakistan secured a narrow five-run victory, Sri Lanka’s total of 207 meant that Pakistan failed to achieve the necessary net run rate boost. As a result, Pakistan were knocked out of the tournament despite their win, and New Zealand progressed to the semi-finals on the basis of a better net run rate.
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