Pakistan managed to beat Sri Lanka in a high-scoring thriller as they won the match by just five runs in the 50th match of the T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eights (Group 2) played at Kandy on February 28, 2026.
Pakistan cricket team opted to bat first and made a sensational start in the match. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman went after the Sri Lankan bowling team right from the start of the match. The pair of Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman added 64 runs without losing a single wicket in the powerplay session of the match. Pakistan cricket team achieved their 50 in just 4.4 overs. The pair of Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman added 100 runs in just 59 balls. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman both achieved their half-centuries in a stylish manner. Fakhar Zaman achieved his half-century in just 27 balls. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman added 150 runs without losing a single wicket in just 14 overs. Sahibzada Farhan achieved a magnificent century in just 59 balls. Sahibzada Farhan smashed nine fours and five sixes in his magnificent century.
Despite a number of wickets falling in quick succession during the death overs, Pakistan got past 200 and ended up with a strong 212/8 after 20 overs.
The Sri Lanka national cricket team began their batting strongly, but they lost two wickets within the powerplay. Pathum Rathnayake and Kusal Mendis tried hard to get back into the game, and Sri Lanka got past 100 runs in the 12th over. Rathnayake played a vital knock, scoring his 50 runs off 32 deliveries.
The game took a new turn with Dasun Shanaka launching a counterattack. Shanaka smashed 50 runs off only 24 deliveries with five sixes. Sri Lanka got past 200 runs in the penultimate over, making it a tense finish.
In the final over, Pakistan held their nerves and restricted Sri Lanka to 207/6, winning the game by a narrow margin of five runs. In a thrilling encounter, Pakistan emerged victorious against Sri Lanka.
For his excellent 100 runs off 60 deliveries that set up a winning base for his team, Sahibzada Farhan deservedly won the Player of the Match award.
Pakistan has been eliminated, and New Zealand is through to the semi-final.