Pakistan secured a narrow five-run victory over Sri Lanka in their Super 8s match but failed to advance to the semifinals due to net run-rate calculations. Sahibzada Farhan's record-breaking century powered Pakistan to 212-8, yet Sri Lanka's spirited chase to 207-6 ensured New Zealand progressed instead. The result leaves England, New Zealand, and South Africa in the last four, with India and West Indies vying for the final spot.
In a thrilling Super 8s encounter at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 28, 2026, Pakistan posted 212-8 after being put in to bat by Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman forged a T20 World Cup record 176-run partnership, with Farhan smashing 100 off 60 balls—including nine fours and five sixes—and Zaman contributing 84 off 42 balls with nine fours and four sixes. Farhan became the first player to score two centuries in a single T20 World Cup and surpassed Virat Kohli's record with 383 runs for the tournament.
Pakistan's momentum faltered late, losing eight wickets for 36 runs as Dilshan Madushanka took 3-33. To overtake New Zealand's net run-rate of +1.390, Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or fewer, but the hosts reached that target by the 16th over. Pavan Rathnayake scored 58, while Shanaka's unbeaten 76 off 31 balls—featuring a four and three sixes in the final over against Shaheen Afridi—nearly stole the win, falling short by five runs at 207-6. Abrar Ahmed claimed 3-23 for Pakistan.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha reflected on the dew factor: "When I lost the toss, it was always going to be challenging because of the dew. We didn't finish the way we wanted to." Shanaka apologized to fans: "It's been a tough campaign. I want to say sorry to the fans because we fell down."
The defeat eliminated Pakistan, who end with a net run-rate of -0.123, while New Zealand advanced to join group winners England. This marks Pakistan's second consecutive T20 World Cup without reaching the knockouts.
