Sri Lanka knock Pakistan out as New Zealand reach semi-finals

Feb.28 (Mirror Sports) - New Zealand have qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-finals after Sri Lanka denied Pakistan the massive victory margin they needed in their Super Eights clash in Kandy on Saturday.

Pakistan required a 65-run win to overtake New Zealand on net run rate but fell short despite posting a tournament-best 212-8. Sri Lanka responded strongly, finishing on 207-6 to lose by just five runs and eliminate Pakistan from the competition.

Sahibzada Farhan smashed a brilliant 60-ball century — his second of the tournament — to power Pakistan to their highest-ever total at a T20 World Cup. Fakhar Zaman added a blistering 84 off 42 balls as the pair put on a dominant 176-run opening stand.

Farhan’s hundred was historic, making him the first player to score two centuries in the same T20 World Cup. He also set a new tournament aggregate record with 383 runs, surpassing Virat Kohli’s 319 in the 2014 edition.

However, Sri Lanka refused to fold. Pavan Rathnayake struck 58, while captain Dasun Shanaka nearly engineered a stunning chase with an unbeaten 76 off just 31 balls. Sri Lanka needed six off the final delivery, but Shanaka failed to connect after smashing three sixes in the final over against Shaheen Shah Afridi.

“It was always going to be challenging with the dew,” said Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha. “Restricting them below 148 was tough on that pitch. If we had won the toss, it could have been different.”

Spinner Abrar Ahmed impressed with figures of 3-23, while Dilshan Madushanka led Sri Lanka’s bowling effort with 3-33.

The result sends New Zealand into the semi-finals, where they are set to face South Africa in Kolkata on Wednesday for a place in the final.