Pakistan edge last-ball thriller against Sri Lanka but exit T20 World Cup

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by By News AgenciesFebruary 28, 2026 at 06:42 PM

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In a Group Two Super Eights match of the Twenty20 World Cup on February 28, 2026, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by five runs in Pallekele. Despite the victory, Pakistan was eliminated from the tournament due to an inferior net run-rate compared to New Zealand. Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or less to qualify for the semifinals but Sri Lanka scored 207-6. Pakistan scored 212-8, with Sahibzada Farhan scoring 100 and Fakhar Zaman 84. Farhan set a new T20 World Cup record for most runs in a single tournament, surpassing Virat Kohli's previous record. Dasun Shanaka scored an unbeaten 76 off 31 balls for Sri Lanka.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Virat Kohli 30% Pallekele 40% England 40% Dilshan Madushanka ×250% Dasun Shanaka ×360% New Zealand ×260% Fakhar Zaman ×470% Sri Lanka ×880% Sahibzada Farhan ×680% T20 World Cup ×690% Pakistan ×590%

Keywords

t20 world cup 100% pakistan 90% sri lanka 80% elimination 70% fakhar zaman 60% net run-rate 60% sahibzada farhan 60% semifinals 50% last-ball thriller 50% cricket 40%