crashed out of the 2026 T20 World Cup despite a five-run win over SriLanka in their last league stage game of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The Men in Green had to register a 67-run win over the 2014 T20 World Cup champions to make it to the semis. But they only managed a five-run win to crash out of the ICC event. The fans had high hopes from Usman Tariq, but he struggled. Tariq leaked 43 runs in his four-over spell and went wicketless. Tariq’s seven-match streak came to an end after he failed to take a wicket.
Before the SL game, the Pakistani spinner had never gone wicketless in a T20I. His streak came to end against SL and it was the first time that he failed to take a wicket in an international fixture.
The 28-year-old scalped two wickets in his debut game against South Africa in November 2025. He followed up with a four-fer against Zimbabwe. Tariq took his second four-fer in his sixth fixture – against Namibia. He only managed one wicket against India. The Sri Lankan batters took Tariq and smashed him for more than 10 runs per over.
Pakistan manage 5-run win
Even after Pakistan failed to restrict SL under 147, there was never a doubt that they would register a win. Dasun Shanaka’s late blitz surprised Pakistan and he took the 2014 T20 WC champions to the cusp of a win.
With 28 runs to win off the last six balls, the Sri Lankan captain welcomed Shaheen Afridi with a four, followed by three back-to-back sixes. Afridi bowled two back-to-back dot balls to end the over and register a win for the Men in Green.
SL were already out of the competition and they finished in the last position following the defeat against Pakistan. England and New Zealand are two teams from Group 2 who have made it to the semi-final. From Group 1, South Africa have made it to the semi-final. One of India and West Indies will join them in the knockout round.