One just missed the semis, the other bowed out with a loss! Pakistan wins against Sri Lanka

In a thrilling Super Eight clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, on Saturday, Pakistan narrowly defeated Sri Lanka by five runs in a pulsating contest. Yet, despite the exhilarating win, both teams’ tournament dreams came to an end .

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first, inviting Pakistan to set a challenging target. The visitors responded in style, powered by a century from Sahibzada Farhan (100 off 60 balls) and a blistering innings from Fakhar Zaman (84 off 42 balls). Their partnership propelled Pakistan to 212 for 8 in 20 overs , a total that looked formidable.

Farhan’s century not only anchored the innings but also pushed him to the top of the T20 World Cup run‑scorers list , surpassing previous tournament records.

Chasing 213, Sri Lanka fought valiantly. Dasun Shanaka’s fiery 70‑plus cameo kept the home fans on edge and brought the chase within reach. But Pakistan’s bowlers struck crucial blows at the right moments. Abrar Ahmed (3/23) starred with the ball, while Dilshan Madushanka (3/33) troubled Pakistan’s batters with pace and precision. Despite their efforts, Sri Lanka fell short at 207 for 6 , handing Pakistan a narrow victory.

The win, however, was bittersweet. On net run rate , Pakistan could not surpass New Zealand in the Super Eights standings. With the result, both Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been eliminated from the T20 World Cup , paving the way for New Zealand, England, and South Africa to advance to the semifinals.

Farhan and Zaman’s heroics, combined with Shanaka’s valiant fightback, made for a thrilling finale to both teams’ campaigns , but cricket fans were left to digest the bitter reality: victories do not always guarantee progression in the high‑stakes world of T20 cricket.