Picture Credit: Getty Images/ ICC/ AFP
Sri Lanka eliminated Pakistan from the T20 World Cup 2026 by crossing the 147-run mark in their crucial Super 8 Group 2 clash at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Saturday.
Heading into the contest, Pakistan required a win by more than 65 runs to overtake New Zealand in the standings and advance alongside England. Once Sri Lanka crossed the 147-run threshold, Pakistan’s hopes were extinguished.
New Zealand progressed to the semifinals with England from Group 2.
From Super 8 Group 1, South Africa had already secured qualification, while the upcoming India versus West Indies clash in Kolkata will decide the remaining semifinal berth.
Strong Start but Late Collapse
Earlier in the evening, Pakistan piled up an imposing 212/8 after a commanding opening stand. At 198/2 after 18 overs, they appeared set for an even larger total. However, a dramatic collapse saw them lose six wickets in the final 2.1 overs, halting their late surge.
Sahibzada Farhan led the charge with a magnificent 100 off 60 balls, striking nine fours and five sixes. His opening partner, Fakhar Zaman, played an explosive knock of 84 from 42 deliveries.
Zaman capitalised on two reprieves during his innings. On 15, a misfield off Dasun Shanaka allowed a boundary, and on 46, Sri Lanka opted against a DRS review for a caught-behind appeal despite strong appeals from the wicketkeeper.
Farhan set the early tone as Pakistan raced past 50 within five overs, maintaining a scoring rate of at least ten runs per over for the majority of the innings. Ultimately, the margin proved insufficient to keep their tournament hopes alive.
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