T20 World Cup 2026 Results: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka but were eliminated as New Zealand reached the semi-finals

Sahibzada Farhan hit a brilliant century as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by five runs in the T20 Super 8s World Cup but missed out on reaching the semi-finals on net run rate.

Farhan’s 100 off 60 balls included nine fours and five sixes as Pakistan posted 212-8 – their highest ever total in a T20 World Cup.

Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 runs or less in their reply to ensure their net run rate was better than New Zealand’s in the second series.

However, Sri Lanka managed to bowl the figure of 15.5 for the loss of five wickets as the Black Caps progressed to the knockout stage.

It ensured New Zealand finished with a net run rate of +1.390 as they secured second place ahead of Pakistan (-0.123).

Sri Lanka moved closer to the second biggest run chase in World Cup history after some powerful late strikes from skipper Dasun Shanaka as Pakistan’s players went through the motions.

Needing 28 runs in the final over, Shanaka, who made an unbeaten 76 off 31 balls, hit four fours and three sixes.

But with six players needed for Sri Lanka’s win, Shaheen Afridi came into action again and bowled two wickets with yorkers wide.

Earlier, the 176-run encounter between Farhan and Fakhar Zaman had given Pakistan hope of making what looked like a big demand on paper.

Fakhar, who was restored to open after batting in the middle order against England, played his part with some crisp ball on his way to 84 off 42 balls.

In what was just his second innings of this World Cup, Fakhar clubbed nine fours and four sixes while the Sri Lankan bowlers were flayed all over.

But after his dismissal, Pakistan struggled to maintain the momentum – as Dilshan Madushanka’s 3-33 claimed – with 14 runs from the last two overs not quite being enough.