- Sahibzada Farhan became the first batter to register two tons in a Men’s T20 World Cup and finished with the most runs in a single edition of the tournament
- Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada also put on the highest partnership for any wickets in the history of men’s T20 World Cup
- Scorecard is available here
Kandy, 28 February 2026: Sahibzada Farhan’s ton and Fakhar Zaman’s 84 propelled Pakistan to a narrow five-run win against Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight stage game of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Saturday night.
Pakistan bowed out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after finishing third in Group 2 with three points, level with New Zealand but behind on net run rate.
After being put into bat first, Farhan and Fakhar gave Pakistan a brisk start as they raced to 50 inside 4.4 overs. Farhan and Fakhar’s alliance continued to flourish as the two combined to lift Pakistan to 102 at halfway stage.
Fakhar brought up his 14th T20I fifty off 27 deliveries in the 12th over as the scoreboard read 125 for no loss.
Fakhar and Farhan blistered another 51 off the next 27 deliveries including 18 runs off the 12th over before the former departed after a 42-ball 84, inclusive of nine fours and four sixes with 176 on the board after 15.5 overs.
The 176-run opening partnership between Fakhar and Farhan was the record highest for any wicket in the history of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Farhan, who reached his half-century off 28 balls in the ninth over, brought up his second T20I century off 59 deliveries, in the penultimate over and became only the first batter in history to score two centuries in a single edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Farhan perished on the final delivery of the last over for 100 after bludgeoning nine fours and five sixes. He also became the leading run-getter in a single edition of ICC T20 World Cup with 383 runs, surpassing Virat Kohli’s tally of 319 runs in 2014.
Losing their last seven wickets to for 31 runs, Pakistan managed to score 212-8 in 20 overs.
For the hosts, Dilshan Madushanka (4-0-33-3) and skipper Dasun Shanaka (4-0-42-2) shared five wickets.
In quest for a semi-final berth, Pakistan were required to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or under while defending the 213-run target.
Naseem Shah provided his side with the first breakthrough as he dismissed Pathum Nissanka for three in the second over.
Abrar Ahmed, coming back in the side, picked up a wicket off his very first ball, cleaning up Kamil Mishara (26, 15b, 4x4s, 1x6) in the fifth over to reduce Sri Lanka to 33-2.
Charith Asalanka (25, 18b, 1x4, 2x6s) and Pavan Rathnayake then put together 42 runs for the third wicket before Abrar struck again to dismiss the former in the ninth over.
Abrar picked up his third wicket on the final delivery of the 11th over to remove Kamindu Mendis (3) as the scoreboard read 94-4.
Mohammad Nawaz (2-0-21-1) got rid of Janith Liyanage six deliveries later, to leave Srilanka 101-5.
Rathnayake (58, 37b, 4x4s, 3x6s) added another 61 runs with skipper Shanaka for the sixth wicket, taking Sri Lanka past the 147-run mark and ending Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying for the semi-final.
Needing 28 off the final over, Shanaka blasted 22 off the first four balls off Shaheen Shah Afridi, but two dot deliveries followed to seal Pakistan’s five-run victory.
Shanaka remained unbeaten on 76 off 31, featuring two fours and eight sixes.
For Pakistan, Abrar returned figures of 4-0-23-3.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by five runs at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Pakistan 212-8, 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 100, Fakhar Zaman 84; Dilshan Madushanka 3-33, Dasun Shanaka 2-42)
Sri Lanka 207-6, 20 overs (Dasun Shanaka 76 not out, Pavan Rathnayake 58, Kamil Mishara 26, Charith Asalanka 25; Abrar Ahmed 3-23)
Player of the match – Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan)
