T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Match 50, Super Eight – Full highlights, top moments & winner details

Feb 28, 2026 - 17:45

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign ended in heartbreak despite a narrow five-run win over Sri Lanka in Pallekele. The equation was simple as if they bat first and win by 65 runs or more, or chase inside 13 overs, to overtake New Zealand on net run-rate and qualify for the semi-finals.

Asked to bat, Pakistan came out blazing. Sahibzada Farhan hammered a magnificent 100 off 60 balls, while Fakhar Zaman smashed 84 off 42. Their 176-run opening stand put Pakistan in command and powered them to 212/8, though a late collapse cost crucial runs.

With the ball, Pakistan fought hard. Abrar Ahmed starred with three wickets as Sri Lanka stumbled in the middle overs. But once the hosts crossed 148, Pakistan’s semi-final hopes were officially over.

Still, the drama continued. Dasun Shanaka nearly pulled off a sensational chase with an unbeaten 76 off 31 balls. Sri Lanka finished at 207/6, falling short by five runs.

Top Batting performance of the match - Dasun Shanaka

Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka almost scripted one of the greatest chases in T20 World Cup history with an unbeaten 76 off just 31 balls. Walking in with the game slipping away, Shanaka turned it into a thriller with his batting. When Sri Lanka needed 46 from two overs, he tore into the bowling, smashing two sixes in an 18-run over to keep hopes alive. The final over, bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi, began with 28 required. Shanaka miscued a boundary before hitting three sixes over extra cover, deep square leg, and covers, dragging the equation down to six off two balls. With momentum on his side, Sri Lanka looked the favourites. But a wide yorker denied his attempted scoop, and the final ball, another full delivery outside off, wasn’t given wide. Shanaka left it, expecting the call, but it never came. Sri Lanka fell short by five runs, and his heroic knock ended in heartbreak.

Top Bowling performance of the match - Abrar Ahmed

With the ball, the man who dragged Pakistan back into the contest was Abrar Ahmed. Just when Sri Lanka seemed to be cruising towards the 148-run mark that would end Pakistan’s hopes, Abrar produced a brilliant spell. He struck with his very first delivery, skidding one back into castle Kamil Mishara, who had been looking dangerous. Abrar then outfoxed Charith Asalanka with a slower, tossed-up delivery that spun back to knock over off stump as the batter missed a wild slog. His last dismissal, Kamindu Mendis gripped, stayed low, and arrived so slowly that the batter was through his shot far too early. Finishing with outstanding figures of 3 for 23 in four overs, Abrar kept Pakistan’s semi-final dreams flickering, striking whenever the game threatened to slip away.

Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved

Usman Tariq went wicket-less for the first time in 27 T20 innings and conceded a career-most 43 runs.
Sri Lanka scored 27 runs off 10 sweep attempts against spin at a strike rate of 270.
Abrar Ahmed became the joint third-fastest Pakistani to 50 T20I wickets (38 matches).
Pakistan attacked 78.8% of deliveries, their fifth-highest intent rate in this T20 World Cup.
Sahibzada Farhan registered his second T20 World Cup hundred, becoming the first batter to score two in a single edition.
Farhan broke Virat Kohli’s record (319) for most runs in a single T20 World Cup edition (323*).
Farhan now holds the record for most sixes (18) in a T20 World Cup edition.
Pakistan’s 212/8 is their second-highest total in T20Is and highest in T20 World Cups.
The 176-run stand between Farhan and Fakhar Zaman is the highest partnership in T20 World Cup history.
176 is also Pakistan’s highest-ever T20 World Cup partnership and third-highest in all T20Is.
Pakistan recorded their highest opening partnership in the T20 World Cups (176).
64/0 vs Sri Lanka is Pakistan’s joint fourth-highest Powerplay total in T20 WCs.
Farhan equalled the record for most 50+ scores (4) in a single T20 WC edition.
Farhan became only the second player after Chris Gayle to score two T20 WC hundreds.

Who was the Player of the Match?

Sahibzada Farhan was named Player of the Match for his magnificent century that powered Pakistan to 212 against Sri Lanka. On a night loaded with pressure, Farhan delivered a knock of rare authority, smashing 100 off 60 balls and setting the tone from the very start. He not only anchored the innings but also rewrote history. Farhan went past Virat Kohli’s record of 319 runs in a single T20 World Cup edition, becoming the tournament’s highest-ever run-scorer in one campaign. His consistency has been remarkable, two fifties and two hundreds, all scored at a strike rate above 158.