207/6 (20.0)
CR : 10.35
212/8 (20.0)
CR : 10.60
Pakistan won by 5 runs π
Player of the Match
S Farhan
100(60)
Player of the Match: Sahibzada Farhan
Sahibzada Farhan (Player of the Match): "(How special was this hundred from the previous one?) Well, I wanted to make full use of the 30-yard circle first. I wanted to get my side off to a good start. I also wanted Fakhar to get a hundred but unfortunately he missed out. This hundred goes down in vain as it didn't benefit my team.
(What changes he did in his batting) In my last 2-3 batting sessions, I had a chat with the batting coach and I was telling him that I am having a great feeling of doing something special tonight. I just backed myself and if I get any delivery in my range, I will go for it. I played simple cricket.
(On being so consistent) Ramiz sir, I have said it before and I am saying it again, full credit goes to Domestic cricket. I am playing regular domestic cricket since four years. I topped in Domestic Cricket, PSL and also did well in the Asia Cup, I had the confidence. I am also the top scorer in this tournament. I am very proud that I am able to create records for Pakistan."
(What changes he did in his batting) In my last 2-3 batting sessions, I had a chat with the batting coach and I was telling him that I am having a great feeling of doing something special tonight. I just backed myself and if I get any delivery in my range, I will go for it. I played simple cricket.
(On being so consistent) Ramiz sir, I have said it before and I am saying it again, full credit goes to Domestic cricket. I am playing regular domestic cricket since four years. I topped in Domestic Cricket, PSL and also did well in the Asia Cup, I had the confidence. I am also the top scorer in this tournament. I am very proud that I am able to create records for Pakistan."
Most Player of the Match Awards for Pakistan in T20 WCs:
4 - Shahid Afridi
3 - Umar Gul, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sahibzada Farhan*
4 - Shahid Afridi
3 - Umar Gul, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sahibzada Farhan*
Most Player of the Match Awards in a Single T20 World Cup:
4 - Shane Watson (Australia) in 2012
4 - Will Jacks (England) in 2026
3 - Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) in 2022
3 - Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan) in 2026*
4 - Shane Watson (Australia) in 2012
4 - Will Jacks (England) in 2026
3 - Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) in 2022
3 - Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan) in 2026*
Pakistan have now failed to reach the semifinals in four consecutive ICC White-Ball Tournaments β 2023 World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup, 2025 Champions Trophy, and 2026 T20 World Cup.
Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka Captain): "[On the last 2 balls] Absolutely. It was a close game. I could have finished it. Unfortunate. But well bowled to Shaheen.
[On their campaign] It's been a tough campaign for us. Yes, we had a couple of injuries. But we disappointed the fans. I want to say sorry to the fans. If we didn't have those injuries, we would have entered the semis. In the future, if we don't get the injuries, this team will do well.
[Did the injuries to the key players affect the side?] Absolutely. Missing two key bowlers. They could have played had they been here. We need our players to be here. It affects the mentality little bit. Hopefully, they will return and do well for the Sri Lankan cricket.
[On his comments after last match] Sometimes, as players, we feel the pressure. It was my mistake. I feel disheartened for the fans. I want to say sorry to them. Not all the players feel the pressure. But I feel disheartened for the fans.
[Positives from this World Cup] Of course. Pavan Rathnayake has been consistent. Using the crease very well. Good for Sri Lanka cricket. We have Wellalage as well. Hopefully, they have a bright future ahead."
[On their campaign] It's been a tough campaign for us. Yes, we had a couple of injuries. But we disappointed the fans. I want to say sorry to the fans. If we didn't have those injuries, we would have entered the semis. In the future, if we don't get the injuries, this team will do well.
[Did the injuries to the key players affect the side?] Absolutely. Missing two key bowlers. They could have played had they been here. We need our players to be here. It affects the mentality little bit. Hopefully, they will return and do well for the Sri Lankan cricket.
[On his comments after last match] Sometimes, as players, we feel the pressure. It was my mistake. I feel disheartened for the fans. I want to say sorry to them. Not all the players feel the pressure. But I feel disheartened for the fans.
[Positives from this World Cup] Of course. Pavan Rathnayake has been consistent. Using the crease very well. Good for Sri Lanka cricket. We have Wellalage as well. Hopefully, they have a bright future ahead."
Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan Captain): "(Where did Pakistan go wrong today?) I think when we lost the toss, it was always going to be challenging because of the dew and then it was a very good pitch. Defending 148 was challenging on this surface but we tried our best. Had I won the toss, the story would have been different.
(Disappointed with the spinners?) Yes, dew was definitely a factor in this game but we failed to execute our plans today. Usman had an off day today which can happen to anyone. He has been exceptional but one off day can happen. Dew was a huge factor today.
(What went wrong in this campaign?) I think we failed to bat well in this tournament. It was only Sahibzada Farhan who batted exceptionally well. During that period if anyone would've helped him more, it could've been a different story but the batting was always a concern throughout the tournament. Yes, especially the middle order which has been the problem for us since few years now. We need to sit and have a discussion regarding it.
(Failed to score many runs in the last 2 overs) We couldn't finish the way we wanted to finish. In 20 overs, you can say that the opposition can have 2 good overs and that was the case at that time. We batted well for 18 overs but the opposition bowled well in the last 2 overs. If we had scored 10-15 more runs over there, things could have been different. As I said before, with this dew 148 or even 160 would've been very difficult."
(Disappointed with the spinners?) Yes, dew was definitely a factor in this game but we failed to execute our plans today. Usman had an off day today which can happen to anyone. He has been exceptional but one off day can happen. Dew was a huge factor today.
(What went wrong in this campaign?) I think we failed to bat well in this tournament. It was only Sahibzada Farhan who batted exceptionally well. During that period if anyone would've helped him more, it could've been a different story but the batting was always a concern throughout the tournament. Yes, especially the middle order which has been the problem for us since few years now. We need to sit and have a discussion regarding it.
(Failed to score many runs in the last 2 overs) We couldn't finish the way we wanted to finish. In 20 overs, you can say that the opposition can have 2 good overs and that was the case at that time. We batted well for 18 overs but the opposition bowled well in the last 2 overs. If we had scored 10-15 more runs over there, things could have been different. As I said before, with this dew 148 or even 160 would've been very difficult."
Most 6s by a Captain in an Innings in T20 WCs:
8 β Rohit Sharma (India) vs Australia, Gros Islet, 2024
8 β Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka) vs Pakistan, Pallekele, 2026, Tonight*
7 β Chris Gayle (West Indies) vs India, Bridgetown, 2010
7 β Jos Buttler (England) vs U.S.A., Bridgetown, 2024
6 β Chris Gayle (West Indies) vs Australia, The Oval, 2009
Most Sixes as Captain in T20 WCs:
21 β Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka)*
19 β Rohit Sharma (India)
17 β Chris Gayle (West Indies)
17 β Jos Buttler (England)
21 β Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka)*
19 β Rohit Sharma (India)
17 β Chris Gayle (West Indies)
17 β Jos Buttler (England)
What a breathtaking conclusion to the final fixture of Group 2! Sri Lankaβs gritty performance ensures that both Asian sides depart the tournament together, leaving India as the sole remaining representative from the continent. Dasun Shanaka displayed immense heart with a defiant late-over charge, yet he ultimately fell just short of guiding Sri Lanka to a farewell victory.
The New Zealand camp will undoubtedly be celebrating in their hotel tonight, as Sri Lankaβs resistance provided the exact lifeline they needed. With Pakistan failing to secure the necessary margin, the Kiwis officially march into the semi-finals alongside England from this group.
The stage is now set for a massive double-header tomorrow to wrap up the Super 8s. In the afternoon, South Africa face Zimbabwe; a win for the Proteas will cement their spot at the top of Group 1 and confirm a semi-final clash against New Zealand. The excitement reaches a fever pitch in the evening at the iconic Eden Gardens, where India and the West Indies face off in a virtual quarter-final, with the winner moving on to the final four.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Akshay Bhide who, along with scorer/analyst Paras Yadav & statistician Aman brought all the updates of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYEπ
The New Zealand camp will undoubtedly be celebrating in their hotel tonight, as Sri Lankaβs resistance provided the exact lifeline they needed. With Pakistan failing to secure the necessary margin, the Kiwis officially march into the semi-finals alongside England from this group.
The stage is now set for a massive double-header tomorrow to wrap up the Super 8s. In the afternoon, South Africa face Zimbabwe; a win for the Proteas will cement their spot at the top of Group 1 and confirm a semi-final clash against New Zealand. The excitement reaches a fever pitch in the evening at the iconic Eden Gardens, where India and the West Indies face off in a virtual quarter-final, with the winner moving on to the final four.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Akshay Bhide who, along with scorer/analyst Paras Yadav & statistician Aman brought all the updates of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYEπ