New Zealand into T20 World Cup semis as Sri Lanka avoid big Pakistan defeat

New Zealand qualified for the T20 World Cup semi-finals after Sri Lanka avoided a big defeat against Pakistan on Saturday in Kandy.

Pakistan, who needed to win by 65 runs in their final Super Eights match to pip New Zealand on net run rate, won by only five after scoring 212-8 with Sri Lanka just falling short on 207-6 despite Shanaka’s 76* from 31 balls, smashing eight sixes and two fours.

Pakistan’s hopes of advancing remained till the halfway mark; however, Sri Lanka’s lower order managed to drag them out of trouble and brought them back into the contest.

Pakistan removed opener Pathum Nissanka for three in the second over.

The second wicket added 26 before Kamil Mishara fell prey to Abrar Ahmed for 25.

As a result, Sri Lanka were reduced to 33-2 in 4.1 overs.

Charith Asalanka and Pavan Rathnayake came to the fore, putting the chase back on track with a 42-run partnership. The duo batted at a brisk rate, bringing the team’s total to 75 in 8.5 overs.

It was Abrar again for Pakistan who provided the much-needed breakthrough in the shape of Asalanka’s wicket. The left-hander made 25 from 18 balls.

Sri Lanka lost a few quick wickets and were left reeling at 101-5 in 12 overs.

However, a crucial stand between Dasun Shanaka and Rathnayake not only dashed Pakistan’s hopes but also put Sri Lanka on the verge of victory.

With the Islanders requiring 28 from the last over, Shanaka tonked Shaheen for a boundary and three maximums in a row to leave the equation six from two. But the pacer eventually held his nerve and bowled two dot balls to win it for Pakistan.

For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed took three wickets in his quota of four overs.

Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan became the first player to score two centuries in the same T20 World Cup as Pakistan reached 212-8 in the 20 overs.

Farhan smashed a 60-ball 100 while fellow opener Fakhar Zaman cracked 84 off 42 balls as Pakistan, after being asked to bat, recorded their highest total at a T20 World Cup.

Farhan scored five sixes and nine fours as he took his aggregate for the tournament to 383 runs, a T20 World Cup record, passing India’s Virat Kohli’s 319 in 2014.

Farhan and Zaman put on an opening stand of 176 in 15.5 overs. Zaman hit four sixes and nine fours.

Farhan pushed Dasun Shanaka for a single to complete his century off 59 balls before being dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka in the final over.

Madushanka was the best Sri Lankan bowler with 3-33.

Pakistan’s previous highest at a T20 World cup was the 201-5 they made against Bangladesh in Kolkata in 2016.

Squads

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, and Eshan Malinga.

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, and Usman Tariq.