Pakistan survive Shanaka blitz but crash out of T20 World Cup; NZ qualify

It was a match that first had the makings of a one-sided affair before swaying into the balance. Sri Lanka, with nothing riding on the contest, endured a largely forgettable game. Yet, skipper Dasun Shanaka, blitzing an unbeaten 31-ball 76, nearly scripted a Houdini act with a breathtaking onslaught before Pakistan snuck through by five runs. It made little difference, however, as Pakistan exited the tournament with New Zealand marching to the semi-finals with a superior net run rate.

Having posted 212, Pakistan had to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or lower to progress. Sri Lanka's chase started poorly, with Pathum Nissanka falling early to Naseem Shah. Kamil Mishara started positively but was cleaned up by Abrar Ahmed off his first delivery. A missed run-out chance followed, and with Charith Asalanka ending the Powerplay with a six, things were interestingly poised even as Sri Lanka were well behind the required rate.

Asalanka imposed himself on spinner Usman Tariq with a four and a six. He was dropped at cover by Khawaja Nafay but was castled by Abrar off the very next delivery. The mystery spinner bagged a third wicket to keep Pakistan's hopes alive, even as Pavan Rathnayake unleashed an array of boundaries.

Rathnayake made Pakistan pay for the missed chance, peppering the fence. Shanaka walked in and consolidated with Rathnayake before the duo went on the attack. Rathnayake slammed two sixes off Shadab Khan to raise his half-century, shortly after which Sri Lanka passed the 148-run mark to seal Pakistan's fate.

The co-hosts still needed 62 off the last four overs and then 46 off the last two. Shanaka clobbered Shadab for two big sixes. Needing 28 off the last over, Shaheen Afridi dished out plenty in the slot as Shanaka smashed a four and three consecutive sixes to send the crowd into a frenzy. Shanaka then bizarrely attempted a reverse-ramp to no avail. The last ball flirted with the wide line and was deemed legal, leaving the Sri Lankan captain crestfallen as his team fell short.

Earlier, Sri Lanka opted to field. Pakistan dropped Saim Ayub and Babar Azam, promoting Fakhar Zaman to open. The move worked as he began in a menacing mood. Sahibzada Farhan continued his irrepressible form and the openers capitalised on some ordinary Sri Lankan bowling. They passed 50 well inside the fifth over. Farhan rewrote the record books, surpassing Virat Kohli's tally for the most runs in a single edition of the Men's T20 World Cup. The carnage extended beyond the Powerplay, aided by multiple dropped catches.

Both batters raced past fifty, with Fakhar outscoring Farhan at one point despite being dropped. Farhan was caught shortly after, only for the fielder to step onto the ropes. The partnership soon reached 176—a record for any wicket in a T20 World Cup—before ending with Fakhar dragging the ball onto his stumps. Khawaja Nafay and Shadab Khan were promoted but it did not pay off, although Farhan notched up his second hundred of the tournament.

Pakistan lost their way in the slog-overs, losing five wickets across the last two overs. Dilshan Madushanka was the pick of the bowlers with a three-wicket haul. Sri Lanka's catching epidemic finally ended as they held onto their chances. The bowlers conceded just 35 runs off the last four overs, which proved crucial in limiting Pakistan's cushion and ultimately sending them out of the tournament.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 212/8 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 100, Fakhar Zaman 84; Dilshan Madushanka 3-33) beat Sri Lanka 207/6 in 20 overs (Dasun Shanaka 76*, Pavan Rathnayake 58; Abrar Ahmed 3-23) by 5 runs.