T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan cricket team's hopes of making it to the T20 World Cup 2026's semi-finals ended in a heartbreak on Saturday, despite thrashing Sri Lanka in the final Super-8 Group 2 fixture. Notably, New Zealand's superior run rate on the chart knocked Pakistan out, and the Black Caps sealed their passage to the semi-finals of the tournament.
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Sahibzada Farhan's ton goes in vain
Pakistan batter and opener Sahibzada Farhan produced a splendid score of 100 runs off 60 deliveries, surpassing Virat Kohli's 12-year-old record of scoring the highest number of runs in a single T20 World Cup tournament. He was assisted by Fakhar Zaman, who logged a magnificent 84 off 42, but the team's fate depended on margins and external outcomes. The mathematics ultimately went in favour of New Zealand, ending Pakistan's tournament run.
Sri Lanka fall short of 5 runs
Sri Lanka, already eliminated from the tournament, put up a spirited fight in their attempt to overhaul Pakistan’s total of 212/8. Pavan Rathnayake (58 off 37) anchored the chase, while skipper Dasun Shanaka delivered a sensational unbeaten 76 off just 31 balls. Requiring 28 from the final over, Shanaka smashed 22 runs, including a boundary and three consecutive sixes, but Sri Lanka ultimately fell five runs short. Despite the narrow defeat, Sri Lanka’s total confirmed Pakistan’s exit from the tournament, as they finished behind New Zealand on net run rate.
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India to take on West Indies to seize semifinals birth
With England, New Zealand and South Africa clinching their spots in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2026, the match scheduled between India and West Indies on Sunday shall determine who will bag the fourth spot.