Pakistan has been eliminated from the T20 World Cup despite a five-run victory over Sri Lanka in the Super 8s Group 2 match at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium.
Sahibzada Farhan scored a century, his second at the tournament, to help Pakistan post 212-8, their highest-ever total at a T20 World Cup. However, Sri Lanka's late surge, led by captain Dasun Shanaka's 76* off 31 balls, ensured New Zealand's net run-rate remained superior.
Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 runs or fewer to advance, but the latter reached 207-6 in 20 overs, with Shanaka's big hitting in the final over falling just short of the target.
Match Highlights
Farhan's 100 off 60 balls, featuring nine fours and five sixes, was the standout performance, while Fakhar Zaman contributed 84 off 42 balls in a 176-run stand with Farhan.
Sri Lanka's Dilshan Madushanka claimed 3-33, and Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi bowled two dots in the final over to seal the win, but it was not enough to overcome New Zealand's net run-rate of +1.390.
Tournament Implications
New Zealand's advancement to the semis means Pakistan finishes with a net run-rate of -0.123, behind the Black Caps in Group 2. Farhan's impressive tournament continues, with 383 runs in six innings at an average of 76.60.
According to the BBC Sport, Farhan now tops the six-hitting charts with 18, surpassing West Indies' Shimron Hetmyer. His century against Sri Lanka was his second at the World Cup, following an unbeaten 100 off 58 balls against Namibia.
