Pakistan signed off from the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a dramatic five-run victory over Sri Lanka of their Tremendous 8 Group 2 conflict on the Pallekele Worldwide Cricket Stadium. Whereas the competition itself was a last-over thriller, the outcome introduced blended feelings for the Males in Inexperienced.
Regardless of defending 212 efficiently and clinching a hard-fought win, Pakistan’s marketing campaign got here to an finish. They wanted to limit Sri Lanka to 147 or fewer to edge previous New Zealand on web run fee and qualify for the semifinals. Falling nicely in need of that margin meant their journey within the event concluded, and New Zealand progressed to the ultimate 4.
Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman ship a blazing begin
After Sri Lanka elected to bowl first, Pakistan’s opening pair got here out with aggressive intent. Sahibzada Farhan as soon as once more proved why he has been one of many standout batters of the event, smashing a superb 100 off 60 balls. His innings included 9 crisp fours and 5 towering sixes, anchoring Pakistan’s cost.
On the different finish, Fakhar Zaman performed the right aggressor, blasting 84 off 42 deliveries with 9 boundaries and 4 sixes. Their 176-run opening partnership put Sri Lanka on the again foot and laid the muse for a large whole.
Nonetheless, as soon as the breakthrough got here, Sri Lanka clawed their manner again. Dilshan Madushanka impressed with 3 for 33, whereas skipper Dasun Shanaka picked up two wickets to stall the late acceleration. Pakistan finally completed on 212 for 8 — a powerful rating, however one which got here with added strain as a result of qualification equation.
Dasun Shanaka’s heroics almost spoil the script
Sri Lanka’s chase started steadily, with helpful contributions from Kamil Mishara and Charith Asalanka. Pavan Rathnayake’s 58 off 37 balls saved the required fee manageable, setting the stage for a late assault.
Shanaka then ignited hopes of a miraculous chase with a shocking 76 off simply 31 balls, hammering eight sixes in a panoramic show of power-hitting. For a second, it appeared Sri Lanka would possibly pull off an unforgettable win.
Pakistan’s bowlers held agency when it mattered most. Abrar Ahmed delivered a standout spell of three for 23, making use of essential brakes within the center overs. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah chipped in with very important wickets as Sri Lanka closed at 207 for six.
A comfort victory as New Zealand advance to the semis
In the long run, Pakistan gained the match by 5 runs, however the celebrations have been muted. The victory was solely a comfort, as Sri Lanka’s whole comfortably crossed the 147-run threshold Pakistan desperately wanted.
With that, Pakistan bowed out of the event regardless of a preventing show, whereas D secured their semifinal berth. Farhan was named Participant of the Match for his magnificent century — a knock that deserved an even bigger prize, however in the end couldn’t change Pakistan’s destiny within the competitors.
Additionally READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Here’s why Kusal Mendis and Babar Azam are not playing today’s PAK vs SL Super 8 match
Right here’s how followers reacted:
That is what SL did to Pakistan 😅 #PAKvSL #T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/UMVuaenFQP
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 28, 2026
Shadab Nawaz Faheem Usman Khan all ought to get rid off from Pakistan squad
Sufficient is sufficient 🙏 #PAKvSL— Rock.it (@hubpharma48) February 28, 2026
Nicely, that’s it. We’re formally out of the World Cup.#PAKvSL #ICCMensT20WorldCup2026 #Srilanka
— Sadia Khan (@ISadiaSaeedKhan) February 28, 2026
Ur captain say dew was an element, u knew u can lose toss nonetheless gone fr nawaz n shadab. Fahem ws a should,he might rating as nicely dwn d order. Pethatic captain. Ur difficulty all the time been decrease order, u wanted saim as an alternative of usman, and faheem as an alternative of nawaz or shadab. #PAKvSL
— Jibran Yousaf (@zOOmJb) February 28, 2026
Pakistan okay ilawa hr workforce attempt kr rhi thi okay Pakistan semi closing m chala jai however 🫠🙂…….#PAKvSL
— flowerry🫶 (@ismjusta_girl) February 28, 2026
Pakistan Staff Scenario proper now#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/xhmJCgAqns
— Innovate Pakistan (@0ffside_soccer) February 28, 2026
Srilanka simply knockout Australia and Pakistan from event #PAKvSL
— Thala na Mass (@king_maker07) February 28, 2026
Pakistan is out of the World Cup.
Did not need to be in Semi Closing. #ICCMensT20WorldCup #PAKvSL
— Sharath Rao (@raosharathkumar) February 28, 2026
Dasun Shanaka apologies after the sport to all of the srilankan followers about his assertion
Respect ✅✅ #PAKvsSL #SLvsPAK #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/ao5N1Ampgy— Muffadal Johns. (@i_Vishal18) February 28, 2026
Pakistan certified for Karachi airport straight after the match
✈️😅Received by simply 5 runs towards SL after they wanted a large 65-run margin to qualify into semis.#PAKvSL #T20WorldCup2026 #PakistanCricket #SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/nKf7zJmPZ4
— Harinder singh brar (@harry7081) February 28, 2026
Within the post-match presentation, Salman admitted that the center order has been a difficulty for the previous few years for Pakistan workforce, but the squad of 15 nonetheless consists of six openers.🤔#PAKvSL#SLvsPAK
— Caught&Bowled🏏 (@CaughtbehindICC) February 28, 2026
#PAKvSL 147 was all the time going to be too little to defend on this pitch. What a chase by Sri Lanka . Shanaka and Rathnayake have been phenomenal chasing. Nice match of cricket. #ICCMensT20WorldCup
— Kung Fu Dakait (@KariJyoti89159) February 28, 2026
Dasun Shanaka, it is best to have hit that six for humanity.
— Ahسan (@oyee_ahsann) February 28, 2026
Nearly smoked your entire pakistan single handedlyy! Large respect Dasun shanaka, naai adi pei adi🫡🔥 #SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/W8u1Tg4kw8
— Baviyshh (@Baviyshraina) February 28, 2026
I all the time like his batting. When he involves the crease as a batter, at first he stays quiet. Then he exhibits his monster batting. He’s the Chris Gayle of our technology. Dasun Shanaka — what a participant! @dasunshanaka1 💙🔥#SLvPAK | #T20WorldCup
— Murshidul Amin Umayer Sirazi (@UmayerSirazi) February 28, 2026
Really feel for Dasun Shanaka and Sri Lanka.
That ought to’ve been a large.#ICCMensT20WorldCup #SLvsPK #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/Tlztvw1N0x
— JD (@dhaka73242) February 28, 2026
Pakistan gained the match, Dasun Shanaka gained our hearts 🫂♥️ pic.twitter.com/G3P5KF4aRy
— 𝐀kki 𝐍🕊️ (@akmal_noori_13) February 28, 2026
Dasun Shanaka The Man you’re👌👌❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥#SLvPAK
— Mousumi Soren (@meww1499) February 28, 2026
Additionally READ: Fans go wild as Sahibzada Farhan scripts history with stunning century in PAK vs SL Super 8 clash at T20 World Cup 2026
