Pakistan’s journey in T20 World Cup ends: Sri Lanka defeated by 5 runs, Shaheen Afridi’s drama, Farhan’s record century in vain

Pallekkalah A brilliant innings from captain Dasun Shanaka (76 not out) could not save Sri Lanka from a narrow five-run defeat but it knocked Pakistan out of the T20 World Cup here on Saturday, sending New Zealand into the semi-finals along with Group 2-topper England. Chasing the target, Sri Lanka needed 24 runs in the last over.

The Sri Lankan captain hit three consecutive sixes and a four on the ball of Shaheen Shah Afridi (1 wicket for 48 runs), due to which six runs were needed on the last ball. But Shanaka left the last ball thinking that it would be called wide which was not called wide by the on-field umpire. Shanaka hit eight sixes and two fours in his unbeaten innings of 31 balls but could not lead his team to victory. With this, Sri Lanka scored 206 runs for seven wickets in reply to Pakistan’s score of 212 runs for eight wickets. Pakistan needed to bowl out Sri Lanka for 147 runs to overtake New Zealand (1.390) in net run rate to make the last four. Pakistan posted a mammoth score of 212 runs for eight wickets with a record partnership of 176 runs between openers Sahibzada Farhan (100) and Fakhar Zaman (84 runs) for any wicket in T20 World Cup history.

In the 16th over, Pakistan had scored 176 runs without losing any wicket but the team lost eight wickets for 36 runs in the last four overs. For Pakistan to reach the next round, Sri Lanka had to win by at least 64 runs or more so that it would be better than New Zealand. But apart from Abrar Ahmed’s brilliant spell of three wickets for 23 runs in four overs, no other bowler could perform well. England topped Group Two after winning all three of their Super Eight matches, while New Zealand qualified for the semi-finals as the second team. However, it was a disappointing finish for Pakistan opener Farhan who broke Indian superstar Virat Kohli’s record of scoring most runs (319) in a single phase of the T20 World Cup. He scored a total of 383 runs in seven matches at an average of 76.60 and strike rate of 160.25, which included two centuries and as many half-centuries. Sri Lanka made a slow start on a flat pitch.

Naseem Shah dismissed opener Pathum Nissanka (03) while the remaining two top-order players Kamil Mishara (26) and Charit Asalanka (25) could not convert their good starts into big scores. Abrar surprised everyone with his accurate bowling. He hit the ball on the stumps three times against all three Sri Lankan left-handers namely Mishara, Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis (03).

Earlier, Pakistan’s openers batted aggressively to score big but Sri Lanka’s poor performance on the field contributed to the advantage for the rival team. Zaman was out in the 16th over, taking advantage of two lives, he played an inning of 42 balls which included nine fours and four sixes. When he was on 15 runs, a four off the ball of Dasun Shanaka went out of the hands of Mahish Teekshana. When he was on 46 runs, the Sri Lankan wicketkeeper made a strong appeal to take a catch but the team did not take DRS.

Farhan (nine fours, five sixes in 60 balls) took the initiative to bat with a bang due to which Pakistan crossed the 50-run mark within the fifth over. This gave him a rhythm of scoring at least 10 runs in every over, which he maintained well. Right-handed batsman Farhan broke Indian superstar Virat Kohli’s record of scoring most runs (319) in a single phase of the T20 World Cup and also scored his second century in the tournament. They took full advantage of the bowling attack which seemed to miss its line and length under pressure. Sri Lankan bowlers did not seem to have any strategy against the in-form batsman. Farhan’s luck also favored him.

On the last ball of the 15th over, Dunith Velalge ran fast towards the boundary at long off, but the catch was missed and Pakistan’s opener got his first life. But instead of throwing the ball back in, Velalgay started looking at his finger and after a moment or two he realized that the ball was still in play. Then on the first ball of the 16th over, Janith Liyanage stepped on the boundary rope while taking the catch and Farhan once again escaped. However, after this there was a flurry of wickets which included Farhan’s wicket. Farhan was out soon after completing his century.