New Delhi: Pakistan openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman played the innings of the tournament as Pakistan posted an imposing 212/8 against Sri Lanka in a must-win Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026. Pakistan now need to restrict already-eliminated Sri Lankan side to 147 or less runs to qualify for the semifinals or else New Zealand will enter on basis of a superior net run rate.
Meanwhile, Farhan became the first batter to hit two centuries in a T20 World Cup edition after scoring 100 off just 60 balls which included 5 sixes and 9 boundaries. Zaman, who was ignored for most part of the ICC event, turned out to be equally lethal scoring 84 runs off just 42 balls studded with 4 sixes and 9 boundaries as the duo stitched the highest partnership record of 176 for any wicket in the history of the T20 spectacle.
SL gain control after openers’ departure
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka bowlers, who looked totally clueless for major part of the innings, gained control towards the end allowing Pakistan to just add 36 more runs after the openers departed, leading to chaos. Pakistan side, which looked poised for a total of around 250 or more, failed to complete a good finish in the first innings.
For the island nation, Dilshan Madushanka proved to be the pick of the bowlers with three wickets while Dasun Shanaka and Dushmantha Chameera contributed with two and one wicket respectively.