T20 World Cup: Narrow win not enough for Pakistan; Shanaka’s blinder goes in vain

Pakistan was in with a chance of reaching the semifinals, until it was not. In defeating Sri Lanka by five runs in their final Super Eight Group 2 match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium here on Saturday, Pakistan won the battle but lost the war and was knocked out of the T20 World Cup.

The result also meant New Zealand qualified for the semifinals.

Despite posting 212 for eight, Pakistan had only 147 to defend and go through. It had the contest by the scruff after Naseem Shah’s cutter induced Pathum Nissanka’s slice to covers. But Pavan Rathnayake (58, 37b, 4×4, 3×6) proved a nagging obstacle for Pakistan. He used the sweep shot once against Abrar and twice against Shadab Khan, clearing the deep midwicket fence on all three occasions.

With skipper Dasun Shanaka (76 n.o., 31b, 2×4, 8×6) joining Rathnayake in the free-spirited hitting, Sri Lanka denied Pakistan the qualification and rubbed salt into its wounds with a 61-run sixth-wicket partnership.

Even with three sixes off the final over, Shanaka could get Sri Lanka to only 207 for six.

Semifinals were in sight for Pakistan at the mid-innings break after Sahibzada Farhan (100, 60b, 9×4, 5×6) and Fakhar Zaman (84, 42b, 9×4, 4×6) sent Sri Lanka on a leather hunt. A tweak in the opening salvo, getting Zaman in place of Saim Ayub, cleared the top-order rut and the pair forged a record 176-run stand.

However, a slew of wickets that commenced with Zaman chopping onto his stumps off Dushmantha Chameera saved Sri Lanka from getting buried under a mammoth total. Farhan completed his century off 59 balls. He also broke Virat Kohli’s record (319) to become the highest run-getter (383) in a single World Cup.

The scores: Pakistan 212/8 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 100, Fakhar Zaman 84, Dilshan Madushanka 3/33, Dasun Shanaka 2/42) bt Sri Lanka 207/6 in 20 overs (Pavan Rathnayake 58, Dasun Shanaka 76 n.o., Abrar Ahmed 3/23).

Toss: Sri Lanka; PoM: Farhan.