T20 World Cup: Pakistan signed off their campaign in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 with a narrow five-run win over Sri Lanka, but the victory was not enough to take them into the next stage due to an inferior Net Run Rate. The match was played at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy on Saturday.
Batting first, Pakistan posted a massive 212/8, led by a superb opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman. Farhan smashed 100 off 60 balls, becoming the first batter to score two centuries in a single T20 World Cup edition, while Fakhar added a rapid 84. Despite late wickets, Pakistan crossed the 200-run mark with ease.
In reply, Sri Lanka lost early wickets but fought back through partnerships in the middle overs. Captain Dasun Shanaka played a sensational unbeaten knock of 76, keeping Sri Lanka in the hunt till the final over. Needing 28 runs off the last six balls, Shanaka hit three sixes and a four, but Sri Lanka fell just short at 207/5.