PALLEKELE — Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign came to an end on Thursday after they failed to restrict co-hosts Sri Lanka in their Super Eight match, with New Zealand progressing to the semi-finals instead .
The Qualification Equation
After posting 212-8, Pakistan not only needed to win but also had to limit Sri Lanka to 147 or fewer to qualify on net run rate and move ahead of New Zealand .
At one stage, Pakistan appeared to be on course as Sri Lanka were reduced to 101-5. However, Pavan Ratnayeke and Dasun Shanaka wrested back control with a match-defining partnership, effectively ending the Green Shirts’ hopes of advancing .
Opening Fireworks
Earlier, openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman put on a scintillating opening partnership to propel Pakistan to a target of 213 .
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Sahibzada Farhan: A brilliant 100 off 60 balls (9 fours, 5 sixes, strike rate 166.66)
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Fakhar Zaman: Solid support with 84 off 42 balls (9 fours, 4 sixes, strike rate 200.00) Middle Order Collapse
However, the middle order struggled to build partnerships:
| Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Khawaja Nafay | 2 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 0 |
| Salman Agha | 0 |
| Shadab Khan | 7 (quickfire) |
| Usman Khan | 8* |
Late contributions from Shaheen Shah Afridi (4) and Naseem Shah (1) helped push the score past 210 .
Tournament Exit
The result means Pakistan’s World Cup journey ends in the Super Eight stage, unable to replicate their previous tournament successes. Sri Lanka’s victory sent New Zealand through to the semi-finals, while the co-hosts kept their own hopes alive .
Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first .
