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Pakistan edge Sri Lanka by 5 runs in Kandy thriller
BeNewz Report
Kandy: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by five runs in a last-over finish at Pallekele to seal a crucial Super Eights win in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
However, Greenshirts failed to qulify for playing semi final of the event for lower run rate when compared with the Black Kiwis. Both Greenshirts and Black Kiwis have shred three points but better rurn rate put Kiwis ahead of Pakistan.
Pakistan held their nerve to defeat Sri Lanka by five runs in a high-scoring Super Eights contest at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Chasing 213, Sri Lanka finished on 207 for six despite a late onslaught from Dasun Shanaka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Batting first after Sri Lanka chose to field, Pakistan posted 212 for eight in 20 overs. Sahibzada Farhan struck 100 off 60 balls, hitting nine fours and five sixes. Fakhar Zaman added 84 off 42 deliveries, with nine fours and four sixes. Their aggressive stand powered Pakistan to one of their highest totals in T20 World Cup history.
According to ICC historical data, totals above 200 have been chased successfully less than 30 percent of the time in T20 World Cups since 2007. Pakistan’s total therefore placed immediate scoreboard pressure on Sri Lanka. The surface at Pallekele traditionally favors batters under lights, with an average first-innings score of around 165 in T20Is before this match.
Sri Lanka’s chase stayed alive through Shanaka’s explosive 76 not out off 31 balls. He smashed eight sixes and two fours, nearly pulling off a remarkable finish. At one stage, Sri Lanka needed 28 off the final over. Shanaka hit three consecutive sixes off Shaheen Shah Afridi, reducing the equation dramatically.
However, Afridi recovered with two pinpoint yorkers to deny Sri Lanka a famous win. Shanaka attempted a reverse scoop and then left the final delivery expecting a wide, but the ball landed within the crease. Pakistan closed out the match without overt celebrations, aware of the narrow escape.
Earlier, Pavan Rathnayake contributed 58 off 37 balls to anchor the middle overs. Yet Sri Lanka’s required run rate climbed above 12 per over after the 15th over. Pakistan’s spinners, led by Abrar Ahmed, applied pressure during the middle phase. Abrar returned figures of three for 23 in four overs.
Abrar’s economy rate of 5.75 was the most economical spell in the match. Sri Lanka lost key wickets at critical intervals, including Rathnayake at 162 for six in the 18th over. That dismissal shifted momentum back toward Pakistan.
Pakistan’s bowling unit has relied heavily on Shaheen Afridi in death overs across recent tournaments. Since 2023, Afridi has taken more than 20 wickets in overs 16 to 20 in T20 internationals, according to ICC statistics. His final-over composure reinforced his reputation as a premier death specialist.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, face pressure to win their remaining fixtures to stay alive. The team has struggled for consistency in T20 cricket over the past two years. According to ICC rankings released earlier this month, Sri Lanka entered the tournament outside the top five in T20I standings.
Pakistan’s batting resurgence marks a turnaround from earlier group-stage inconsistencies. The side crossed the 200-run mark twice in this tournament after failing to do so in their previous six T20 internationals before the event. Analysts attribute the shift to a more aggressive powerplay approach.
