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The Sri Lanka national cricket team faced the Pakistan national cricket team in the 50th match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eights, Group 2, on February 28, 2026. The match took place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Pakistan won the contest by 5 runs after posting 212/8 and then restricting Sri Lanka to 207/6 in 20 overs.
Pakistan's innings featured a remarkable century from Sahibzada Farhan, who scored 100 from 60 balls. Fakhar Zaman also played a spectacular attacking innings, making 84 from 42 deliveries. Sri Lanka responded strongly, with Dasun Shanaka scoring an unbeaten 76 from only 31 balls, but Pakistan held its nerve in the final overs.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Sri Lanka vs Pakistan |
| Tournament | ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Stage | Super Eights, Group 2 |
| Match Number | 50 |
| Date | February 28, 2026 |
| Venue | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy |
| Pakistan | 212/8 |
| Sri Lanka | 207/6 |
| Result | Pakistan won by 5 runs |
| Player of the Match | Sahibzada Farhan |
| Top Pakistan Batter | Sahibzada Farhan – 100 off 60 |
| Top Sri Lanka Batter | Dasun Shanaka – 76* off 31 |
Pakistan batted first and produced one of the strongest totals of the match. The opening partnership between Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman set the tone. Farhan eventually reached his century from 60 balls, while Fakhar added 84 from 42 balls at a strike rate of 200.
The pair put Pakistan in a commanding position before Sri Lanka finally broke the partnership. Their first-wicket stand reached 176 runs, providing Pakistan with the platform to cross the 200-run mark. Farhan's century included nine fours and five sixes, while Fakhar struck nine fours and four sixes.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | 100 | 60 | 9 | 5 | 166.66 |
| Fakhar Zaman | 84 | 42 | 9 | 4 | 200.00 |
| Khawaja Nafay | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.66 |
| Shadab Khan | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 140.00 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Salman Agha | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Naseem Shah | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Usman Khan | 8* | 4 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Abrar Ahmed | 0* | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Total | 212/8 | 20 overs | 10.60 RR |
Sahibzada Farhan was the standout performer for Pakistan. His 100 from 60 balls gave Pakistan the foundation for a total above 200. He combined controlled stroke play with aggressive hitting, finding the boundary regularly throughout the innings.
His century also earned him the Player of the Match award. Farhan's contribution proved decisive because Sri Lanka came remarkably close to chasing down the target.
Fakhar Zaman complemented Farhan perfectly. He scored 84 from only 42 balls, hitting nine fours and four sixes. His strike rate of 200 put immediate pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers.
The partnership between Farhan and Fakhar became the defining phase of Pakistan's innings. Their 176-run stand gave Pakistan control of the match before Sri Lanka fought back with wickets late in the innings.
Sri Lanka needed 213 runs to win, requiring a run rate of 10.65 per over. The chase did not begin perfectly, with Pathum Nissanka falling for three. However, Kamil Mishara and Charith Asalanka provided useful contributions before Sri Lanka found its most dangerous partnership later in the innings.
Pavan Rathnayake scored 58 from 37 balls, giving Sri Lanka valuable momentum. Then Dasun Shanaka produced a remarkable late assault that kept the chase alive until the final delivery. Read more Pakistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 42.86 |
| Kamil Mishara | 26 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 173.33 |
| Charith Asalanka | 25 | 18 | 1 | 2 | 138.89 |
| Pavan Rathnayake | 58 | 37 | 4 | 3 | 156.76 |
| Kamindu Mendis | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Janith Liyanage | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.67 |
| Dasun Shanaka | 76* | 31 | 2 | 8 | 245.16 |
| Dunith Wellalage | 2* | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Total | 207/6 | 20 overs | 10.35 RR |
Dasun Shanaka produced one of the most explosive innings of the match. He remained unbeaten on 76 from 31 balls, hitting eight sixes and two fours. His strike rate reached an extraordinary 245.16.
Shanaka's assault gave Sri Lanka a genuine chance of completing the chase. However, Pakistan managed to defend the remaining runs during the final phase and secured a narrow five-run victory.
Pakistan's bowling attack faced significant pressure because Sri Lanka maintained a high scoring rate throughout the chase. Abrar Ahmed emerged as the leading wicket-taker, claiming three wickets for 23 runs from four overs.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz, and Naseem Shah also contributed with important wickets. Despite conceding 207 runs, Pakistan's bowlers successfully protected the 212-run total.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abrar Ahmed | 4 | 23 | 3 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 4 | 48 | 1 |
| Naseem Shah | 4 | — | 1 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 2 | 21 | 1 |
| Shadab Khan | 2 | 33 | 0 |
| Other bowlers | — | — | — |
Abrar Ahmed's three-wicket spell was particularly important because he removed key Sri Lankan batters during the middle overs.
Sri Lanka's bowlers struggled to contain Pakistan's opening partnership, but Dilshan Madushanka eventually made a major contribution. He finished with three wickets for 33 runs from four overs.
Dasun Shanaka also took two wickets, although Pakistan's early scoring surge had already created a difficult target. Sri Lanka's late wickets helped limit Pakistan's final total to 212 rather than an even larger score.
The opening partnership between Farhan and Fakhar shaped the match. Their 176-run stand put Pakistan in a commanding position and forced Sri Lanka to chase at a very high rate.
Sri Lanka's response changed dramatically when Pavan Rathnayake and Dasun Shanaka attacked the Pakistan bowlers. Shanaka's unbeaten 76 gave Sri Lanka hope right until the end.
Despite Sri Lanka's powerful finish, Pakistan held on for a five-run victory. The narrow margin showed how closely contested the match became after Pakistan had dominated the opening innings.
Pakistan finished with 212/8 from 20 overs, giving Sri Lanka a target of 213. Sri Lanka responded with 207/6 from its 20 overs.
Pakistan therefore won by 5 runs. Sahibzada Farhan received the Player of the Match award after his century, while Sri Lanka's Dasun Shanaka finished as the second innings' standout performer with his unbeaten 76.
The final scorecard highlights an extraordinary batting contest. Pakistan's 212/8 came largely through Farhan's century and Fakhar's 84. Sri Lanka then scored 207/6, with Rathnayake making 58 and Shanaka smashing 76 not out.
The five-run margin reflected Sri Lanka's strong fightback. Pakistan's early advantage ultimately proved enough to secure the victory.
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team match scorecard tells the story of a thrilling five-run finish. Pakistan posted 212/8 after Sahibzada Farhan's century and Fakhar Zaman's explosive 84. Sri Lanka responded with 207/6, led by Pavan Rathnayake's 58 and Dasun Shanaka's spectacular unbeaten 76.
Pakistan ultimately held its nerve to win the Super Eights contest by five runs. Farhan earned Player of the Match honors, but Shanaka's late hitting ensured that the result remained uncertain until the final stages.
Pakistan scored 212/8 in 20 overs, while Sri Lanka finished on 207/6 in 20 overs. Pakistan won by five runs.
Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 5 runs in the Super Eights match.
Sahibzada Farhan won the Player of the Match award after scoring 100 runs from 60 balls.
Farhan scored 100 runs from 60 deliveries, including nine fours and five sixes.
Dasun Shanaka top-scored for Sri Lanka with an unbeaten 76 from 31 balls.
Fakhar Zaman made 84 runs from 42 balls, with nine fours and four sixes.
Sri Lanka finished on 207/6 after 20 overs.
The match was played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka, on February 28, 2026.
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