Despite defeating Sri Lanka by five runs in their Super Eights encounter in Pallekele, Pakistan were eliminated from the T20 World Cup on Saturday. New Zealand advanced to the semifinals due to a superior net run rate.
Sahibzada Farhan became the first player to score two centuries in the same T20 World Cup as Pakistan scored 212/8.
In order to overcome New Zealand and take second place in the Super Eights group on net run rate, Pakistan had to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or fewer.
However, they were unable to accomplish this as co-hosts Sri Lanka, who were already eliminated from consideration for a semifinal berth, finished at 207/6.
With 76 not out off just 31 balls, captain Dasun Shanaka led the way, followed by Pavan Rathnayake with 58.
With three wickets for 23 runs, Abrar Ahmed was Pakistan’s most effective bowler.
New Zealand and Pakistan finished the Super Eights stage with three points apiece, however the Kiwis advanced to the semifinals as the group’s second-place finisher due to their higher NRR. Having won all three of their Super Eights games, England has already advanced to the semifinals.
Earlier, after being asked to bat, Pakistan scored their best total at a T20 World Cup thanks to Farhan’s 60-ball century and fellow opener Fakhar Zaman’s 84 from 42 balls.
Farhan broke India’s Virat Kohli’s 2014 T20 World Cup record of 319 runs, bringing his tournament total to 383 runs hitting five sixes and nine fours. In 15.5 overs, Farhan and Zaman put on an opening partnership of 176. Zaman hit nine fours and four sixes.
Before being removed by Dilshan Madushanka in the last over, Farhan completed his century off 59 balls by pushing Dasun Shanaka for a single. With 3/33, Madushanka was the top bowler from Sri Lanka.
Pakistan’s previous highest score at a T20 World Cup was 201/5 against Bangladesh in Kolkata in 2016.
