Shaheen Afridi Stars as Pakistan Edge Sri Lanka in Thrilling T20 World Cup Clash

Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled brilliantly, delivering two dot balls at the end to help Pakistan win by five runs in Pallekele. Pakistan survived a strong performance from Dasun Shanaka and finished the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 on a high. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, ended their campaign winless in the Super 8s.

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first. The decision backfired as their bowlers went on a journey upfront. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman went berserk at the top of the order and gave Pakistan a flying start, scoring 64 in the powerplay. Both the openers raced past their fifties as the Lankans looked clueless on the field.

The opening duo stitched a record 176-run stand before the hosts managed to break it in the 16th over. Fakhar got cleaned up on 42-ball 84. Farhan kept going strong at the other end and brought up his second T20I hundred in just 59 balls. Despite a strong foundation, Pakistan lost their way in the death overs.

The Lankan bowlers bowled beautifully and denied Pakistan a strong finish. None of the other Pakistan’s batters managed to get to double digits as they lost 8/36 to finish their innings on 212/8, with Farhan top-scoring with 100 off 60. For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka (3/33) picked up three scalps. The magic number for Pakistan was 147. For them to qualify for the semi-finals, they needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or under. Naseem Shah dismissed Pathum Nissanka (3) cheaply. Kamil Mishara looked good for his 26 before getting cleaned up as the Lankans ended the powerplay on 49/2.

Pakistan Thrills in Last-Ball Victory Over Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup 2026

Charith Asalanka got a start but failed to carry on as he departed on 25. Kamindu Mendis (3) and Janith Liyanage (5) were sent packing cheaply in a quick succession. Pavan Rathnayake played a fine knock and brought up a very good fifty. He received good support from his skipper Dasun Shanaka as they kept their side in the hunt.
In the process, Sri Lanka went past 147 and knocked Pakistan out of the World Cup and helping New Zealand seal a spot in the semis. Rathnayake scored 58 off 37 before holing out in the deep in the 18th over. Shanaka brought out his beast mode and hit sixes for fun. The Lankans scored 18 off the penultimate over, bringing the equation down to 28 from 6.

Shanaka hit a boundary and three maximums off Shaheen Afridi to curtail down the equation to 6 from two. He tried a funky scoop shot on the following ball and missed it. With six required from the final ball, Afridi nailed the wide yorker and sealed the game for his side. Shanaka's 31-ball 76* resulted in vain as Sri Lanka fell agonizingly short by five runs. Abrar Ahmed was the standout bowler for Pakistan, registering figures of 3/23 from his four overs. The game went down the wire and the Men in Green held their nerves to emerge victorious and end the tournament with a win.

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SA VS ZIM 51st T20I World Cup 2026: Where to Watch South Africa vs Zimbabwe, H2H, Playing 11 & Full Match Details The 51st T20I match of the super 8 T20I World Cup 2026 will play between South Africa will face the Zimbabwe on Sunday, 29th February, at 3:00 PM.

by Dwijesh February 27, 2026