T20 WC: Shanaka’s final-over blitz falls short as Pakistan survive thriller but miss Semifinal spot

In a dramatic Super 8 encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by five runs, but the victory proved bittersweet as they were eliminated from the tournament after failing to achieve the required Net Run Rate (NRR) margin to surpass New Zealand.

Pakistan posted an imposing 212/8 in 20 overs, powered by a sensational century from Sahibzada Farhan, who smashed 100 off 60 balls and finished the tournament with a record 383 runs, the most in a single T20 World Cup edition.

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He shared a record-breaking 176-run opening partnership with Fakhar Zaman, who blazed 84 off just 42 deliveries. For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka was the standout bowler with 3/33.

Chasing 213, Sri Lanka ended at 207/6 despite a valiant effort. Abrar Ahmed (3/23) rocked the top order early, but Pavan Rathnayake (58 off 37) and captain Dasun Shanaka stitched together a crucial 61-run stand to keep the contest alive.

The defining moment came in the 16th over when Shanaka nudged a single to take Sri Lanka past 147, the threshold Pakistan needed to defend to qualify for the semi-finals, officially ending Pakistan’s campaign.

With 28 runs required off the final six balls, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka nearly pulled off a stunning heist against Shaheen Afridi in a nerve-shredding finish. Shanaka began the over with a crisp boundary over extra cover, then followed it up with a towering six. Another massive hit over the ropes brought the equation down to 12 off three balls, and when he smashed a third consecutive six, Sri Lanka suddenly needed just six runs from the final two deliveries.

With the momentum fully shifted and tension soaring, Afridi responded under pressure as Shanaka missed an attempted reverse scoop, resulting in a crucial dot ball. On the final delivery, amid loud appeals for a wide that were turned down, Shanaka could manage only two runs. He finished unbeaten on a breathtaking 76 off 31 balls, but Sri Lanka fell five runs short, leaving Pakistan with a narrow victory that ultimately proved insufficient for semifinal qualification.

Despite the victory, Pakistan’s semifinal hopes were dashed, with New Zealand progressing on superior NRR.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20 World Cup: Toss Update

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and chose to bowl first. The hosts have made two changes, bringing in Janith Liyanage and Kamil Mishara for the injured Dushan Hemantha and Kusal Mendis.

Pakistan has made three changes, adding Khawaja Nafay, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed while dropping Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, and Salman Mirza.

Captain’s Take

Pakistan captain Salman Agha said:

“It’s a massive opportunity. We just need to play a perfect game, bowl well, bat well, and field well, and I think everything will be fine. Yeah, we would have bowled first definitely, but there is no way we can do that while batting. So you just need to put up a good total and try to restrict them. It’s a mix, (knowing the calculations) to be very honest. Sometimes it can be tough and sometimes it’s easy. You have the freedom to go and just play shots or you know what you need to do. But yeah, it’s a mixed kind of a thing. We’ll just try to play a perfect game and I think the rest will be fine,” said Pakistan captain Salman Agha.”

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka added:

“We gonna bowl first. It is a good pitch and later on there might be dew as well. We got some good players in our lineup and of course, we need to do our basics right. So yeah, we didn’t do the basics well enough to pull out a win in the last two games. But here, we know we need to make it right in all three departments. They (the fans) still always love us regardless of whether we win or lose, so it’s good motivation, I think. Thank you very much for all the fans here. So yeah, we are looking forward to the game. Two changes. Kamil Mishara comes in for Kusal Mendis, he pulled out with the injury, and Dushan Hemantha out, Janith (Liyanage) comes in.”

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20 World Cup: Playing XIs

Pakistan Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka