This means New Zealand qualify through superior net run-rate, and join England and South Africa in the final four. Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to field first. 

A record partnership by Fakhar Zaman (100 off 60) and Sahibzada Farhan (84 off 42) laid the platform for Pakistan to score a massive total, which they needed to have a chance at a semi-final spot. Their opening stand of 176 is the highest for any wicket in T20 World Cups.

Personal records

Farhan also notched a few personal records, including becoming the only batter to hoist two centuries at a single edition of a T20 world event.  He also overtook India’s Virat Kohli for most runs in one T20WC edition. 

He finished with 383 runs, beating Kohli’s tally of 319, which he had achieved during World T20 in Bangladesh in 2013/14.

Sahibzada Farhan breaking records. Image: X/ICC

But Pakistan faltered once Zaman was dismissed, losing eight wickets for just 34 runs in less than five overs.

Defending 147 to secure a semi-final spot, Pakistan made a decent start as they held Sri Lanka to 49/2 in powerplay. The co-hosts staggered on 101/5, giving Pakistan hope, but they roared back to life with a 61-run partnership between captain Dasun Shanaka and Pavan Rathnayake.

Sixes

The Sri Lankan captain played a blinder, scoring an unbeaten 76 off 31 balls and struck three successive sixes off Shaheen Afridi in the final over. 

Needing six runs in the last two balls, Shanaka was unable to knock off the necessary runs and take them over the line.

All eyes are now on the big match on Sunday between India and the West Indies. The winner of this match will complete the knockout line-up.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg