In one of the most jaw-dropping finishes of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan edged out Sri Lanka by just five runs in the Super Eights clash at Pallekele on February 28, 2026. The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard tells the story of a match that had it all — a world-record partnership, a historic century, a stunning collapse, and a heart-stopping last over that left fans breathless.
Pakistan posted 212/8 on the back of Sahibzada Farhan’s record-breaking 100 off 60 balls and Fakhar Zaman’s blistering 84 off 42. Yet the win proved bittersweet — Sri Lanka’s captain Dasun Shanaka counter-attacked with an unbeaten 76 off 31 balls to finish at 207/6, denying Pakistan the 65-run winning margin they needed to qualify for the semi-finals. New Zealand advanced instead, and both teams exited the tournament.
Match Summary
| Team | Runs | Wickets | Overs | Run Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 212 | 8 | 20.0 | 10.60 | Won by 5 runs |
| Sri Lanka | 207 | 6 | 20.0 | 10.35 | Lost by 5 runs |
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| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Venue | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Date | February 28, 2026 (Day/Night) |
| Match | 50th Match — Super Eights, Group 2 | T20I No. 3747 |
| Format | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Toss | Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field |
| Player of the Match | Sahibzada Farhan (PAK) — 100 off 60 balls |
| Cricinfo MVP | Abrar Ahmed (PAK) — 104.31 pts |
| On-field Umpires | Rod Tucker & Sam Nogajski |
| TV Umpire | Paul Reiffel |
| Reserve Umpire | Allahuddien Paleker |
| Match Referee | Andy Pycroft |
| Hours of Play (Local Time) | 19:00 start | Session 1: 19:00–20:30 | Interval: 20:30–20:50 | Session 2: 20:50–22:20 |
Pakistan dominated for 16 overs, but a dramatic collapse of 8 wickets for 34 runs in the final four overs handed Sri Lanka a sniff. Shanaka then launched an assault that brought the game to the final ball. The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard reflects two very different stories told in the same 40 overs.
Pakistan Batting Highlights — First Innings
| Player | Dismissal | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | c Liyanage b Madushanka | 100 | 60 | 101 | 9 | 5 | 166.66 |
| Fakhar Zaman | b Chameera | 84 | 42 | 78 | 9 | 4 | 200.00 |
| Khawaja Nafay | c Asalanka b Madushanka | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.66 |
| Shadab Khan | run out (Madushanka/†Mishara) | 7 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 140.00 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | c Theekshana b Shanaka | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Salman Agha (c) | c Theekshana b Shanaka | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Usman Khan † | not out | 8 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | lbw b Madushanka | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Naseem Shah | run out (Mendis/Madushanka) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Abrar Ahmed | not out | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Extras | (lb 3, w 3) | 6 | |||||
| Total | 20 Ov (RR: 10.60) | 212/8 |
Did not bat: Usman Tariq
Fall of Wickets: 1-176 (Fakhar Zaman, 15.5 ov), 2-179 (Khawaja Nafay, 16.3 ov), 3-198 (Shadab Khan, 17.6 ov), 4-199 (Mohammad Nawaz, 18.2 ov), 5-199 (Salman Agha, 18.4 ov), 6-203 (Sahibzada Farhan, 19.1 ov), 7-207 (Shaheen Shah Afridi, 19.3 ov), 8-210 (Naseem Shah, 19.5 ov)
Farhan and Fakhar put on a jaw-dropping 176-run opening stand, the highest partnership for any wicket in T20 World Cup history, surpassing Finn Allen and Tim Seifert’s 175. They raced to 64/0 in the powerplay, and crossed 100 in just the 10th over. Once Fakhar was dismissed by Chameera, Pakistan lost 8 wickets for just 34 runs in under five overs — a stunning collapse that ultimately cost them the semi-final berth.
Sri Lanka Bowling Figures — First Innings
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ | 0s | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dilshan Madushanka | 4 | 0 | 33 | 3 | 8.25 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Dushmantha Chameera | 4 | 0 | 48 | 1 | 12.00 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 4 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 8.75 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Dasun Shanaka | 4 | 0 | 42 | 2 | 10.50 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Dunith Wellalage | 3 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 12.33 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Janith Liyanage | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Madushanka was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, claiming 3 wickets for 33 runs in a sharp spell that triggered Pakistan’s late collapse. Shanaka himself chipped in with 2 crucial wickets in the death overs. However, the powerplay and middle overs proved expensive, with the Farhan-Fakhar juggernaut making every bowler look ordinary for the first 16 overs.
Playing XIs
Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq
Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka
Team Changes — Pakistan: Dropped Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Salman Mirza. Brought in Khawaja Nafay, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed.
Team Changes — Sri Lanka: Kamil Mishara replaced the injured Kusal Mendis. Janith Liyanage came in for Dushan Hemantha.
Sri Lanka Batting Highlights — Chase
| Player | Dismissal | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | c Mohammad Nawaz b Naseem Shah | 3 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 42.85 |
| Kamil Mishara † | b Abrar Ahmed | 26 | 15 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 173.33 |
| Charith Asalanka | b Abrar Ahmed | 25 | 18 | 39 | 1 | 2 | 138.88 |
| Pavan Rathnayake | c sub (Saim Ayub) b Shaheen Shah Afridi | 58 | 37 | 66 | 4 | 3 | 156.75 |
| Kamindu Mendis | b Abrar Ahmed | 3 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Janith Liyanage | b Mohammad Nawaz | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 166.66 |
| Dasun Shanaka (c) | not out | 76 | 31 | 39 | 2 | 8 | 245.16 |
| Dunith Wellalage | not out | 2 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 66.66 |
| Extras | (lb 3, w 6) | 9 | |||||
| Total | 20 Ov (RR: 10.35) | 207/6 |
Did not bat: Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka
Fall of Wickets: 1-8 (Pathum Nissanka, 1.3 ov), 2-33 (Kamil Mishara, 4.1 ov), 3-75 (Charith Asalanka, 8.5 ov), 4-94 (Kamindu Mendis, 10.6 ov), 5-101 (Janith Liyanage, 11.6 ov), 6-162 (Pavan Rathnayake, 17.3 ov)
Shanaka’s 76* off 31 balls — featuring 8 sixes — is one of the great cameos in T20 World Cup history. He needed 28 from the final over and smashed 4, 6, 6, 6 off the first four balls. The last two deliveries proved to be wide yorkers that weren’t adjudged wide, leaving Sri Lanka heartbroken at 207/6. Pavan Rathnayake’s aggressive 58 off 37 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes, built crucial momentum in the middle overs and set the stage for Shanaka’s extraordinary finish.
Pakistan Bowling Figures — Second Innings
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ | 0s | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 4 | 0 | 48 | 1 | 12.00 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Naseem Shah | 4 | 0 | 36 | 1 | 9.00 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Abrar Ahmed | 4 | 0 | 23 | 3 | 5.75 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Usman Tariq | 4 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 10.75 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 2 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 10.50 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Shadab Khan | 2 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 16.50 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Abrar Ahmed was the decisive force with the ball, finishing with 3/23 in a spell that dismantled Sri Lanka’s middle order at the critical juncture. He removed Kamil Mishara, Charith Asalanka, and Kamindu Mendis in quick succession to reduce Sri Lanka to 101/5. Naseem Shah and Mohammad Nawaz picked up one wicket each. Shaheen Afridi leaked 48 runs in his four-over spell but delivered the crucial death-over execution in the final over to seal the win. Shadab Khan proved expensive with 0/33 in 2 overs, while Usman Tariq went wicketless across his four-over allocation.
Key Moments & Tactical Analysis
Toss Impact: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision that made tactical sense given the heavy dew expected at Pallekele under lights. Pakistan skipper Salman Agha acknowledged the dew factor post-match, noting it made execution difficult for Pakistan’s bowlers later. Conditions at 19:30 local time were 19.99°C with light clouds and minimal wind — a near-perfect batting track.
Pitch & Conditions: The Pallekele surface played true and flat, offering no real assistance to the seamers early on. The dew that settled after the 12th over made the ball slippery for Pakistan’s spinners in the second innings, a key reason why Shadab Khan — normally a threat — went for 33 off just 2 overs.
Powerplay Dominance: Pakistan exploded in the powerplay, reaching 64/0 in 6 overs — their highest powerplay score of the tournament. Farhan and Fakhar’s aggressive intent unsettled the Lankan bowlers from ball one. Sri Lanka by contrast were held to 49/2 in their powerplay, with Naseem Shah dismissing Nissanka as early as the 1.3th over.
The Record Stand: The Farhan-Fakhar partnership grew and grew, passing 100 in the 10th over, crossing 150, and eventually ending at 176 in the 15.5th over when Chameera bowled Fakhar. This was the highest partnership for any wicket in T20 World Cup history, breaking the previous record of 175 between Finn Allen and Tim Seifert set just days earlier in the same tournament.
The Collapse: Once Fakhar fell, panic set in. Pakistan lost 8 wickets for just 34 runs in an extraordinary collapse, sliding from 176/1 to 212/8. Shanaka bowled himself and dismissed Nawaz and Salman Agha in the same over for a combined 0 runs. This implosion proved fatal to Pakistan’s semi-final hopes — they needed 220+ to overhaul New Zealand’s net run rate and qualify.
Qualification Context: Pakistan needed to win by approximately 65 runs to leapfrog New Zealand in the Super Eights Group 2 standings. At 176/1, that margin looked achievable. The collapse made it impossible. Sri Lanka, already eliminated, had nothing but pride to play for — and Shanaka made sure they played for it.
Turning Point: Abrar Ahmed’s intervention between overs 4 and 12 of the Sri Lanka chase was pivotal. Sri Lanka were threatening to cruise past the 147-run mark (the score below which Pakistan would qualify). Abrar’s triple-strike — Mishara, Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis all bowled — reduced Sri Lanka to 101/5 and briefly reignited Pakistan’s hopes.
Shanaka’s Blitz & Final Over Drama: When Shaheen came to bowl the last over, Sri Lanka needed 28. Shanaka smashed four, six, six, six off the first four balls to reduce the target to 6 off 2. Afridi then bowled two yorkers wide of off stump — neither adjudged wide by umpire Nogajski. Shanaka left the final ball, expecting a wide. The umpire stood unmoved. A barely-five-run win, sealed by the finest of margins and the most controversial of final deliveries.
Key Stats
| Metric | Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Total Runs | 212/8 | 207/6 |
| Extras | 6 (lb 3, w 3) | 9 (lb 3, w 6) |
| Run Rate | 10.60 | 10.35 |
| Powerplay Score | 64/0 | 49/2 |
| Opening Partnership | 176 (World Record) | — |
| Highest Scorer | Farhan — 100 (60) | Shanaka — 76* (31) |
| Best Bowler | Abrar Ahmed 3/23 | Madushanka 3/33 |
| Total 4s | 21 | 12 |
| Total 6s | 9 | 15 |
| Result | Won by 5 runs | Lost by 5 runs |
Pakistan’s superior powerplay and the record opening stand gave them a platform no other team had managed in this tournament. Yet Sri Lanka matched them run for run in the end, proving how remarkable Shanaka’s innings was. The Pakistan National Cricket Team Vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Match Scorecard ultimately reflects Pakistan’s batting excellence against Sri Lanka’s fighting spirit.
Records & Milestones From This Match
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| Highest T20 WC Partnership (any wicket) | 176 — Farhan & Fakhar (PAK), breaking 175 — Allen & Seifert (NZ) |
| Most runs in a single T20 WC edition | Sahibzada Farhan — 383 runs (breaking Virat Kohli’s 319 in 2014) |
| First batter with 2 T20 WC centuries in one edition | Sahibzada Farhan (PAK) |
| Most sixes in a T20 WC edition | Sahibzada Farhan — 18 sixes |
| Pakistan’s highest T20 WC total | 212/8 |
| Most sixes in an innings for SL in T20Is | Dasun Shanaka — 8 sixes (breaking Kusal Perera’s 7) |
| Most sixes in an innings for SL in T20 WC | Dasun Shanaka — 8 sixes (breaking Jehan Mubarak’s 5) |
| SL highest 6th-wkt partnership in T20 WC | 61 — Shanaka & Rathnayake (breaking 53 by Shanaka & Hasaranga) |
| Joint 3rd fastest PAK to 50 T20I wickets | Abrar Ahmed — 38 matches |
| Pakistan’s smallest T20 WC winning margin (runs) | 5 runs (this match), beating 7-run win vs South Africa |
Head-to-Head Analysis
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from this game adds to a storied rivalry that goes back decades in T20 cricket.
| Format | Pakistan Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | Tied | NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I (All-time) | 17 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| T20 World Cup (All editions) | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Most recent 5 T20Is | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Pakistan hold a commanding edge in T20 internationals against Sri Lanka, winning 17 out of 29 matches played. At T20 World Cups specifically, Pakistan lead 5–3. Sri Lanka have had their moments — particularly on home soil — but Pakistan have consistently held the upper hand in bilateral and multi-team tournament clashes. Win percentage for Pakistan stands at 58.62% across all T20Is between the two nations.
Historical Rivalry
Pakistan and Sri Lanka share one of South Asia’s most compelling cricket rivalries, dating back to the 1970s. In T20 cricket, their encounters are frequently high-scoring, with both teams capable of producing match-winning performances from anywhere in the lineup.
At the T20 World Cup, their meetings have often arrived at pressure points — knockout stages or crucial group games. The 2009 World T20 witnessed Pakistan lift the trophy in England, while Sri Lanka claimed the 2014 edition. Their rivalry is best remembered for fiercely contested home-and-away T20 series that have produced some of the format’s finest innings.
This particular edition saw Farhan break Virat Kohli’s record for most runs in a single T20 World Cup campaign, finishing with 383 runs. It was against Sri Lanka that he crossed that milestone. The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from February 28, 2026 will be remembered as the night records tumbled — even as both nations bowed out of the tournament.
Notable recent encounters:
- January 11, 2026 — Pakistan beat Sri Lanka (T20I bilateral series)
- January 7, 2026 — Pakistan beat Sri Lanka
- November 29, 2025 — Sri Lanka beat Pakistan
- November 27, 2025 — Sri Lanka beat Pakistan
The rivalry is evenly poised in the most recent memory, making every encounter between these two teams appointment viewing.
Conclusion
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eights reads like a script too dramatic for fiction. Farhan’s century and the world-record opening stand gave Pakistan a massive total, but the middle-order collapse ultimately meant they fell just short of qualifying. Shanaka’s astonishing cameo nearly rewrote the narrative entirely.
Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka were eliminated from the tournament, with New Zealand advancing by virtue of a superior net run rate. For Pakistan, it was a painful exit that sparked immediate questions about team selection and dependence on the top two. For Sri Lanka, Shanaka’s final over provided a dramatic, if consolation-only, statement of defiance.
The next chapter of this rivalry will be watched with equal intensity whenever these two sides meet again on the global stage.
? FAQs
What was the final score?
Pakistan 212/8 beat Sri Lanka 207/6 by 5 runs.
Who was Player of the Match?
Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan) — 100 off 60 balls (9 fours, 5 sixes, SR 166.66).
Who was the Cricinfo MVP?
Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan) — 104.31 impact points.
Who scored the most runs?
Sahibzada Farhan (100) for Pakistan; Dasun Shanaka (76* off 31) for Sri Lanka.
Who took the most wickets?
Abrar Ahmed took 3/23 for Pakistan; Dilshan Madushanka took 3/33 for Sri Lanka.
Where was the match played?
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
What format was this match?
T20 — ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, 50th Match, Super Eights, Group 2 (T20I No. 3747).
Did Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals?
No. Despite winning by 5 runs, Pakistan needed a margin of ~65 runs to overtake New Zealand’s net run rate. They were eliminated; New Zealand qualified instead.
What was the turning point?
Two turning points defined this match: the 176-run world-record opening partnership between Farhan and Fakhar that built the platform, and Abrar Ahmed’s three-wicket burst that dismantled Sri Lanka’s middle order and briefly gave Pakistan a qualification lifeline.
What records were broken in this match?
The Farhan-Fakhar 176-run stand became the highest partnership in T20 World Cup history. Farhan became the first batter to score two centuries in a single T20 WC edition and broke Virat Kohli’s record for most runs in one campaign (383 vs 319). Shanaka’s 8 sixes in an innings is a Sri Lanka T20I record.
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