Pakistan have been eliminated from the T20 world cup despite a five-run victory over already-eliminated Sri Lanka in their Group Two Super Eights match in Pallekele.
Pakistan posted 212-8 thanks to a Sahibzada Farhan century and then needed to limit co-hosts Sri Lanka to 147 or fewer in order to reach the semi-finals on net run-rate, but the chasers finished on 207-6, instead sending New Zealand through.
Sri Lanka raced to 148 with five overs to go, automatically eliminating the visitors and confirming that both semi-finals will take place in India.
Sri Lanka’s captain Dasun Shanaka scored three sixes in a row to bring his nation painfully close to the win (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
“When I lost the toss, it was always going to be challenging because of the dew,” Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said.
“It was a good pitch. Restricting to 148 was going to be challenging – we tried. If I’d won the toss, it would have been a different story.
“Dew was definitely a factor. We couldn’t execute the plans we wanted to. (Spin bowler) Usman Tariq had an off-day. He’s been exceptional but one off-day can happen.
“We didn’t bat well in the tournament. It was only Sahibzada Farhan who batted exceptionally well. Our batting was always a concern, especially the middle order. It’s been an issue for a few years now. We need to sit down and look at that department.
“We didn’t finish the way we wanted to. In 20 overs, the opposition will have two [good] overs and that was the case. We batted really well for 18 overs. If we’d done well, scored 10-15 more, it could’ve been a different story.”
Sahibzada Farhan scored a century against Sri Lanka (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Pakistan racked up an imposing score as Farhan (100) and Fakhar Zaman (84) combined in a T20 World Cup record 176-run opening stand.
But in the end they were very nearly sent home without the win after Dasun Shanaka hit three sixes in row to take his side to 207, before failing to score one last six to get the win as he finished on 76 (31).
England, New Zealand and South Africa have now secured their semi-final spots, while India and West Indies will play for the last place on Sunday.
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