Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: SL falls just short of 213-run target, PAK eliminated

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Highlights – T20 World Cup 2026

• Match Result: Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 5 runs in a nail-biting finish.
• Scores:
  • Pakistan: 212/8 (20 overs)
  • Sri Lanka: 207/6 (20 overs, target 213)
• Player of the Match: Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan) – brilliant century, 100 off 60 balls.
• Key Performer: Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan) – crucial wickets, named Cricinfo’s MVP.

How the Match Unfolded

• Pakistan batted first and posted a strong total of 212/8, thanks to Farhan’s century and useful contributions from the middle order.
• Sri Lanka’s chase was powered by Dasun Shanaka’s explosive 76 not out off 31 balls, which kept them in contention till the final overs.
• Despite Shanaka’s heroics, Pakistan’s bowlers — especially Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz — held their nerve in the death overs to secure a narrow win.

The Twist: Pakistan Eliminated

Even though Pakistan won this match, their Super Eight campaign ended here. The qualification scenario meant that New Zealand advanced to the semi-finals, while Pakistan’s journey in the tournament was cut short despite the victory.

Key Takeaways

• Pakistan showed resilience with both bat and ball but fell short in the overall group standings.
• Sri Lanka fought valiantly, nearly chasing down a massive target, but Shanaka’s knock wasn’t enough.
• The result highlights the fine margins in T20 cricket — a win on the day, but elimination from the tournament.

Final Note: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 5 runs, but were knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2026, with New Zealand sealing the semi-final spot.