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PAK vs SL Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan knocked out of T20 World Cup despite win over Sri Lanka

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Live Score: Pakistan were eliminated from the T20 World Cup on Saturday despite a five-run win over Sri Lank...

The Times of India | Feb 28, 2026, 23:26:33 IST

COMPLETED - Super 8 - Match 10 - Kandy
SL  
207/620.0 Overs
COMPLETED
Pak  
212/820.0 Overs 
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 5 runs
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23:26 (IST), Feb, 28

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka but crash out of T20 World Cup; New Zealand enter semis on NRR

Pakistan knocked out of T20 World Cup despite win over Sri Lanka

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23:20 (IST), Feb, 28

What's next on the menu? A Super Sunday awaits on 1st March, with a double dose of high-octane cricket lined up. It is also the last day of the Super Eights stage in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2026. The day kicks off with a so-called 'dead rubber' as South Africa face Zimbabwe in Delhi, with the first ball scheduled for 9.30 am GMT. Later, all eyes turn to Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where India take on the West Indies in a blockbuster clash that will decide the fourth semifinalist, starting at 1.30 pm GMT. The winner of that game will advance, and the team that faces a defeat goes back home. Do not forget to mark your presence an hour earlier for all our buildup and pre-match analysis. Until then, we take your leave, only to meet again. Cheers!

23:16 (IST), Feb, 28

End of the journey - And just like that, the road ends here for both Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It has been an underwhelming campaign for both sides. For Sri Lanka, it is now five editions without a semifinal appearance in the T20 World Cup. Pakistan, meanwhile, continue their disappointing run in major tournaments, having missed out in 2024 edition and again this time around. With the exit of Pakistan, it is now also confirmed that the Grand Finale will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium of Ahmedabad, on Sunday, 8th March.

23:11 (IST), Feb, 28

Batting let us down in this World Cup - Salman Agha says that when they lost the toss, it was always going to be difficult to defend with the dew factor. Adds that they tried their best but it wasn't meant to be, and if he won the toss, the story could have been different. Mentions that dew was a big factor. Tells that Usman had an off day but he has been exceptional for them in the last few months. Shares that batting let them down in this World Cup, as, except for Farhan, no one could make any real impact and the middle order also could not contribute. Ends by saying that they could not finish well with the bat, or the story could have been different.

23:10 (IST), Feb, 28

It was a tough campaign - Dasun Shanaka says that it was such a close game but unfortunate for them, kudos to Shaheen. Mentions that it's been a tough campaign, they have had a few injuries and feels that they have let the crowd down. Assures that without injuries, this squad will achieve a lot more in the future and those injured players are a big loss in terms of such a big tournament and hopefully, they will come back fitter and do well for Sri Lankan cricket. Takes responsibility for his team's performance and feels disheartened for the fans. Lauds the likes of Pavan Rathnayake and Dunith Wellalage, who are coming through the ranks well. End by thanking the crowd in Sinhalese.

23:09 (IST), Feb, 28

... It is time to hear from both the captains ...

23:09 (IST), Feb, 28

The partnership broke Pakistani hearts - There is a name rising swiftly through the ranks in Sri Lankan cricket, and it is beginning to carry real weight. Pavan Rathnayake. Coming in with momentum from a couple of impressive knocks, he delivered again, bringing up his second fifty of the tournament with authority. He then forged a decisive 61-run stand off just 33 balls alongside skipper Dasun Shanaka. And just like that, the 147-run mark was breached by Sri Lanka, which knocked Pakistan out of the semifinal race. It was then the fight for a win or a loss. Sri Lanka were still 52 runs adrift in the last 3 overs, but it was Dasun Shanaka who refused to throw in the towel. Despite Rathnayake gone, the skipper stepped up with a blistering knock, smashing 8 audacious sixes to shrink the equation down to 6 needed off the last 2 balls. But unfortunately, it wasn't to be.

23:03 (IST), Feb, 28

Lack of control hurt Pakistan - Pakistan’s start with the ball was disciplined but lacked the conviction required to truly disrupt Sri Lanka’s progress. Abrar Ahmed provided a breakthrough by removing Asalanka and ending a steady stand, reducing Sri Lanka from 75/2 to 101/5. However, just when sustained pressure was needed, it faded. Usman Tariq endured a rare off day, struggling to adapt to the dew and failing to extract any control or penetration. He went wicketless after a long time, conceding 43 runs, a spell that allowed Sri Lanka to regain their footing in the game.

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23:01 (IST), Feb, 28

A game inside a game - Sri Lanka were chasing 213, but Pakistan were really defending 147 to keep their semifinal hopes alive. That invisible line carried more weight than the actual target. With dew settling in, the pressure on Pakistan’s bowlers was relentless. Mishara sparkled early with a few crisp strokes, but Sri Lanka lost both openers inside the Powerplay, slipping to 48/2 and forcing a rebuild. Asalanka and Rathnayake then stepped up and steadied things with a composed stand for the third wicket. The surface still looked good for batting, offering little assistance even to the spinners early on because of the dew factor creeping in.

22:58 (IST), Feb, 28

An inning that broke records - With semifinal hopes hanging by a thread, Pakistan had a dream run with the bat for almost 17-18 overs. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman tore into Sri Lanka with a record-breaking 176-run opening stand that felt less like batting and more like controlled demolition. Every bowler was lined up and picked apart. The timing was pure, the footwork decisive, the running sharp. Both openers brought up commanding fifties as Sri Lanka unravelled in the field, misfields crept in and chances slipped away. Farhan then raised his second century of the tournament, oozing authority. At 176 for nought, Pakistan were staring at a total that could have crushed Sri Lanka. And then it all cracked. From 176 without loss to 210/8, the innings spiralled into a full-blown collapse. Wickets fell in heaps. Momentum vanished. They crawled to 212, a number that should have felt imposing but instead carried frustration. Not a single batter beyond the two openers managed to reach double figures. A near-perfect launch was undone by a staggering nosedive in the backend.

22:52 (IST), Feb, 28

PLAYER OF THE MATCH -  Playing a knock for the ages, Sahibzada Farhan (100 off 60 balls) receives the award. Farhan says that the way Fakhar was playing, he was hoping he gets the hundred but he was lucky he himself got the milestone. Adds that in the end, this knock only helped him individually but not the team. Mentions that he was just focused on playing simple cricket and hitting whatever was in his range, as he had a couple of good net sessions. Says that domestic cricket has helped him a lot. He was among the top-scorers in the Asia Cup and the leading scorer here, and credits all of this to playing a lot of domestic matches and making scoring hundreds more like a habit.

22:48 (IST), Feb, 28

Cricket at its absolute best - That surely is going to be a much-debated last ball, which wasn't given as a wide by the umpire, but the line belongs to him. Dasun Shanaka is in anguish and shock. Pakistan, rattled, despite the win. Shanaka acknowledges the crowd on his walk back, and result aside, the support for cricket remains unwavering in this part of the world. Pakistan and Sri Lanka both, cannot progress ahead in this tournament, but we got to witness another T20 World Cup classic, this time in Kandy. It really got so close in the end and the possibilities of a super over were being drawn as well.

22:45 (IST), Feb, 28

0
Overs19.6
Score207 - 6

Shaheen Afridi to Dasun Shanaka, Oooh, that's touch and go, brave call from the umpire. Shaheen Afridi goes full and fast and slants it wide outside the line of off stump. Dasun Shanaka leaves it alone in hopes of a wide and the ball darts through to the keeper. It is called a fair delivery and Shanaka cannot believe it. Pin drop silence in Pallekele and Shanaka is down on his haunches, being consoled by Dunith Wellalage. Pakistan win by 5 runs!

22:44 (IST), Feb, 28

0
Overs19.5
Score207 - 6

Shaheen Afridi to Dasun Shanaka, Oh, no, what have you done, Dasun Shanaka? Full and wide outside off, in fact, it might have been a low full toss as well. Shanaka brings out the reverse scoop but fails to connect and Sri Lanka still need 6 runs off just one ball now.

22:44 (IST), Feb, 28

Absolute scenes here in Pallekelle. 6 needed in 2 balls now. Dasun Shanaka has lit up this stadium, but the job is not yet done.

22:43 (IST), Feb, 28

6
Overs19.4
Score207 - 6

Shaheen Afridi to Dasun Shanaka, SIX! This could end up being one of the greatest run chases in T20 World Cup history. Shaheen Afridi goes for the wide yorker but misses his length again and serves it in the slot. Dasun Shanaka nails it over deep cover for a biggie. Sri Lanka are just one hit away from the win now as Shanaka makes it a hat-trick of sixes.

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22:43 (IST), Feb, 28

6
Overs19.3
Score201 - 6

Shaheen Afridi to Dasun Shanaka, SIX! OUTTA HERE! A leg cutter from Shaheen, but the length is all wrong. On a good length and at the stumps, right in the hitting arc. Dasun Shanaka stays put and just smokes it over deep mid-wicket with absolute disdain. 12 needed off 3 balls.

22:42 (IST), Feb, 28

6
Overs19.2
Score195 - 6

Shaheen Afridi to Dasun Shanaka, SIX! Wow, what a shot! What a time to pull it off as well from the Lankan skipper. Shaheen misses the yorker outside off and Dasun Shanaka just opens the face of the blade and dumps it over covers for a huge six. That's travelled well over 90 meters. 18 needed now off 4 balls.

22:41 (IST), Feb, 28

4
Overs19.1
Score189 - 6

Shaheen Afridi to Dasun Shanaka, FOUR! Goes away to the fence. Back of a length and outside off, Dasun Shanaka throws the hands at it and slices it over short third for a boundary.

22:41 (IST), Feb, 28

28 needed in the last over then. Can Dasun Shanaka pull off something special here, or will Shaheen Afridi get the job done for Pakistan? Let's find out.

22:40 (IST), Feb, 28

0
Overs18.6
Score185 - 6

Shadab Khan to Dunith Wellalage, Oh, not sure about that shot from Dunith Wellalage. Tossed up, fuller on off, Wellalage has a free hit but he goes for the reverse sweep and misses.

22:40 (IST), Feb, 28

1
Overs18.5
Score185 - 6

Shadab Khan to Dasun Shanaka, Shorter one outside off, lofted down to wide long off for just a single.

22:39 (IST), Feb, 28

6
Overs18.4
Score184 - 6

Shadab Khan to Dasun Shanaka, SIX! Can you believe it? Dasun Shanaka pulls off another big hit and brings up his FIFTY in style. A drag-down from Shadab, wide outside off, Shanaka keeps his shape and slaps it up and over extra cover for a six. 29 needed off 8 balls.

22:39 (IST), Feb, 28

1wd
Overs18.4
Score178 - 6

Shadab Khan to Dasun Shanaka, WIDE. Flatter delivery, flirting with the tramline outside off. Left alone for a wide.

22:38 (IST), Feb, 28

2
Overs18.3
Score177 - 6

Shadab Khan to Dasun Shanaka, Dragged length, wide outside off, Shanaka reaches out and hits it off the toe end of the blade, chipping it through covers for a couple of runs.

22:37 (IST), Feb, 28

6
Overs18.2
Score175 - 6

Shadab Khan to Dasun Shanaka, SIX! Dasun Shanaka doesn't want to throw in the towel just yet. Tossed up, full and on off, it is the leg break as well. Shanaka backs away to open up the off side and whacks it over wide long off for a 99-meter biggie.

22:37 (IST), Feb, 28

1
Overs18.1
Score169 - 6

Shadab Khan to Dunith Wellalage, Nagging length on leg, nurdled down to short fine leg for a single.

22:37 (IST), Feb, 28

1wd
Overs18.1
Score168 - 6

Shadab Khan to Dunith Wellalage, WIDE. A googly from Shadab, tossed up wide outside off and left alone by Dunith Wellalage.

22:36 (IST), Feb, 28

Who bowls the 19th? Salman Agha has two spinners, either Shadab Khan or Mohammad Nawaz and it will be Shadab. Sri Lanka have to target this over.

22:36 (IST), Feb, 28

0
Overs17.6
Score167 - 6

Shaheen Afridi to Dasun Shanaka, A dot to end, 46 needed now off 12 balls. Slower one from around the wicket, Shanaka looks to tap and run but ends up nudging it back to the bowler.

22:35 (IST), Feb, 28

4
Overs17.5
Score167 - 6

Shaheen Afridi to Dasun Shanaka, FOUR! Sri Lanka still hanging in the chase. Yorker-length delivery, slightly wide outside off, Dasun Shanaka reaches out and squeezes it away through backward point for a boundary.

22:34 (IST), Feb, 28

1
Overs17.4
Score163 - 6

Shaheen Afridi to Dunith Wellalage, A low full toss, on the pads, flicked down to deep backward square leg for one.

22:33 (IST), Feb, 28

Silence here in Pallekelle. The threatening 61-run stand has been broken here. That brings Dunith Wellalage out to the middle now.

22:32 (IST), Feb, 28

0
Overs17.3
Score162 - 6

Shaheen Afridi to Pavan Rathnayake, OUT! CAUGHT! A few overs too late for Pakistan and they don't even celebrate the wicket at all. Hard length from Shaheen Afridi, on middle and leg and bowls it slower too. Pavan Rathnayake stays put, clears the front leg and launches it high up towards long on. The ball just doesn't have the legs to clear the ropes and the substitute fielder, Saim Ayub pouches it comfortably. End of a fighting knock from Rathnayake.

22:32 (IST), Feb, 28

0
Overs17.2
Score162 - 5

Shaheen Afridi to Pavan Rathnayake, Fine delivery from Shaheen. Another yorker, just outside off, Rathnayake hangs back to drive but the ball slips under the willow and goes through.

22:31 (IST), Feb, 28

1
Overs17.1
Score162 - 5

Shaheen Afridi to Dasun Shanaka, A yorker on leg stump, a bit of reverse swing on offer as well. Dasun Shanaka clips it away to deep square leg for a run.

22:31 (IST), Feb, 28

55 runs in the last 4 overs for Sri Lanka. They are still far behind the target, but you just never know in T20 cricket. Shaheen Afridi (2-0-20-0) is back on.

22:30 (IST), Feb, 28

1
Overs16.6
Score161 - 5

Naseem Shah to Dasun Shanaka, A single to end and Sri Lanka now need 52 off 18 balls. Full and straight, jammed down to long on for a run, 11 off the over.

22:29 (IST), Feb, 28

0
Overs16.5
Score160 - 5

Naseem Shah to Dasun Shanaka, Slower one, just back of a length and in the channel, Shanaka has a poke at it but gets beaten.

22:28 (IST), Feb, 28

1
Overs16.4
Score160 - 5

Naseem Shah to Pavan Rathnayake, Good-length delivery, Rathnayake looks to slog it away but miscues it through square leg for a run.

22:27 (IST), Feb, 28

2
Overs16.3
Score159 - 5

Naseem Shah to Pavan Rathnayake, DROPPED! Nearly a fabulous catch but Fakhar Zaman spills it out. Another slower delivery, wide outside off, Pavan Rathnayake walks across the off stump and goes on one knee, lapping it over short fine. Zaman runs back over his head and lunges to pouch it but the ball pops out as the elbows make the impact with the ground. Two taken.

22:27 (IST), Feb, 28

1
Overs16.2
Score157 - 5

Naseem Shah to Dasun Shanaka, Banged in short over leg stump, Shanaka goes for the pull but gets an under edge down to short fine leg for a single.

22:26 (IST), Feb, 28

6
Overs16.1
Score156 - 5

Naseem Shah to Dasun Shanaka, SIX! Pumped away for another biggie. Slower one, on a length and outside off, slides on well onto the bat. Dasun Shanaka smacks it flat over extra cover for a maximum.

22:24 (IST), Feb, 28

2
Overs15.6
Score150 - 5

Usman Tariq to Pavan Rathnayake, Quicker, full and on middle, Pavan Rathnayake tucks it away through mid-wicket and comes back for another double. 63 needed in 24 balls now.

22:24 (IST), Feb, 28

There it is. The World Cup is done and dusted for Pakistan now. They cannot qualify as the 147-run mark is breached by Sri Lanka. Which means, NEW ZEALAND HAVE OFFICIALLY QUALIFIED FOR THE SEMIFINAL. They become the third team after South Africa and England to book their semifinal spot in this ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2026. Disappointment for Mike Hesson, the Pakistani head coach. But to be very fair, Pakistan were pretty average when it mattered most and their washout against New Zealand didn't help their cause either. Overall, a disappointing campaign for the Men in Green.

22:24 (IST), Feb, 28

1
Overs15.5
Score148 - 5

Usman Tariq to Dasun Shanaka, Pakistan are officially out of the World Cup! Shortish and on off, Dasun Shanaka stabs it back to the bowler, where Usman Tariq only makes a half-stop and allows one.

22:23 (IST), Feb, 28

2
Overs15.4
Score147 - 5

Usman Tariq to Dasun Shanaka, Sticks to the short length, outside off, Dasun Shanaka slaps it to sweeper cover for a third couple in a row.

22:23 (IST), Feb, 28

2
Overs15.3
Score145 - 5

Usman Tariq to Dasun Shanaka, Dragged down and on middle, Dasun Shanaka rocks back swats it over the bowler's head, wide of long on for a couple of runs.

22:22 (IST), Feb, 28

2
Overs15.2
Score143 - 5

Usman Tariq to Dasun Shanaka, Short and around leg, Dasun Shanaka nudges it towards deep square leg for a couple of runs.

22:22 (IST), Feb, 28

6
Overs15.1
Score141 - 5

Usman Tariq to Dasun Shanaka, SIX! Into the crowd! Short and around middle. Dasun Shanaka clears his front leg away and smashes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for another biggie. The Kiwis are almost there, and Pakistan are almost out.

284 More Updates

See More Updates
Pakistan were eliminated from the T20 World Cup on Saturday despite a five-run win over Sri Lanka in their Super Eights match, as New Zealand progressed to the semifinals on the basis of a superior net run rate.

Pakistan needed to hold Sri Lanka to 147 or fewer to move ahead of New Zealand in Group 2. Although they posted 212 for 8 after being sent in to bat, Sri Lanka finished on 207 for 6, which was enough to keep Pakistan behind on net run rate. Both teams ended the Super Eights stage with three points each, but New Zealand advanced as the second-placed side from the group.

Pakistan had reduced Sri Lanka to 101 for 5 in the 12th over, putting themselves in a strong position. However, Pavan Rathnayake and captain Dasun Shanaka added runs quickly to take Sri Lanka to 148 in the 16th over, effectively ending Pakistan’s qualification hopes.

At one stage, Pakistan were also in danger of failing to defend their highest T20 World Cup total of 212. In the final over bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shanaka struck 4-6-6-6 off the first four balls. Sri Lanka then needed six runs from the last two deliveries.

Shanaka missed while attempting a scoop on the fifth ball and left the final delivery, a yorker, expecting it to be called wide. It was not. Pakistan secured a five-run win but still fell short of a semifinal spot, finishing one point behind New Zealand.
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90 days ago

Indians are relieved and happy when Pakistan was eliminated. We h to seminar not, doesn’t matter me. Out enemy has fed first...Read More

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