Pallekele: Pakistan signed off from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a narrow five-run victory over Sri Lanka in a Super 8 Group 2 encounter, but the win was not enough to keep them in semifinal contention.
Batting first, Pakistan posted an imposing 212/8 in 20 overs. Sri Lanka responded strongly but were restricted to 207/8, falling short by five runs in a dramatic last-over finish.
Shanaka’s late fireworks
Dasun Shanaka nearly turned the match on its head with a blistering 76 off 31 balls. Needing 28 runs in the final over, he smashed Shaheen Afridi for three consecutive sixes, raising hopes of an improbable chase.
Afridi, however, held his nerve on the final two deliveries to seal the win.
Farhan named Player of the Match
Sahibzada Farhan was adjudged Player of the Match for his crucial knock that helped Pakistan cross the 200-run mark.
Despite the victory, Pakistan’s earlier results meant they were eliminated from the tournament, bringing their World Cup campaign to an end.
