Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 5 runs: T20 World Cup – as it happened

Sri Lanka and Pakistan play out an all-time thriller in Kandy, with the latter securing a narrow five-run victory.

Despite their best efforts of putting on a strong first-innings total, the late flurry of wickets at the back-end kept Pakistan under their initial 230-240 run target. Their bowlers then failed to do the deed with the ball.

We hope you enjoyed this classic encounter, and on behalf of Kevin Hand, this is Rohan Sharma signing off.

A thrilling finish in Kandy sees Pakistan hold their nerve to wrap up their #T20WorldCup campaign 👊

📝: https://t.co/mZvWrbZBDo pic.twitter.com/bdyS9cC8Dq

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 28, 2026

Our T20 World Cup coverage continues tomorrow as we have a mouth-watering matchup for you.

Favourites India take on a resurgent West Indies in what is effectively a quarterfinal. Whoever wins will earn the final semifinal berth available.

Our live coverage begins at 10:30 GMT, so make sure to tune in!

All to play for! 👊#TeamIndia is raring to go in our final contest of the Super 8 stage 🇮🇳#T20WorldCup | #MenInBlue | #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/vb0YW8cXAv

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 28, 2026

Click here to read our full match report following Pakistan’s victory.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha shared his thoughts: “I think when we lost the toss, it was always going to be challenging due to the dew. We tried to restrict them to 148. If we had won the toss, it could have been a different story.

“[The dew] It was definitely a factor. We couldn’t execute our plans. Usman [Tariq] had an off day, so dew was effective.

“We couldn’t bat well throughout the tournament, only [Sahibzada] Farhan batted exceptionally well. If someone could have helped him out, it could have been a different story.

“The middle order has been a problem for us in the last few years. We need to look at that department as well.

“We couldn’t finish the way we wanted to finish. We batted well for 18 overs, but the opposition did well in the final two overs.

“If we had scored 10-15 more runs, it could have been a different story. [A target score of] 160 would have been challenging [on this pitch].”

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka spoke at the post-match presentation: “Absolutely right. It was that close of a game. I could have finished it. Well bowled to Shaheen.

“It has been a tough campaign. We had a few injuries. Yes, we disappointed the crowd.

“Want to say sorry to the fans. We could have maybe made it to a semifinal. In the future, hopefully, we don’t have any injuries.

“We are missing two key bowlers [Path and Has], so it was a big loss. We need our players to be here. Hopefully, they will return soon and do good for Sri Lankan cricket.

“As players, we feel the pressure. I will make sure I won’t do that again. Thankful for everyone who is behind us. I feel very disheartened.

“Rathnayake has been consistent and uses the crease very well. We have Wellalage, as well. They have a bright future ahead.”

We will have quotes from both captains to follow.

Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan, for his 100 off 60 balls, is adjudged Player of the Match. This is what he had to say after the match: “I wanted to do well for the team. I wanted Fakhar to ton up as well.

“The ton didn’t work for the team[‘s qualification into the semifinals], that’s why I’m sad.

“I have been feeling well, that brings [me] confidence. Knew I could hit whatever was in my arc.

“All credit goes to domestic cricket. It’s brought out the habit of scoring at pace and scoring big.”

Century moments 📸💯

Well played, @RealSahibzada 🫡#PAKvSL | #T20WorldCup | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/xMK6XU3emp

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 28, 2026

What a phenomenal end to a match which looked a foregone conclusion.

Shanaka and Rathnayake’s late-innings fireworks get them to within five runs of accomplishing a remarkable comeback victory.

Pakistan end their tournament with a victory, but it will be a hollow one as they fail to qualify for the semifinals, with New Zealand taking their place.

Shanaka ends on an unbeaten 76 off 31. Rathnayake contributed with a valuable 58 off 37.

Abrar was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with figures of 3 for 23.

A run-fest in Kandy 🏏

Pakistan finish their #T20WorldCup campaign with a 5-run win over Sri Lanka.#PAKvSL | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/yK9alKoA2V

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 28, 2026

Shanaka fails to get away an attempted reverse-paddle, making it 6 off 1.

Shaheen then goes for a wide yorker, which is on the line, but the umpire rules in his favour as the match ends with Sri Lanka five runs short.

Shaheen delivers a half-volley in the slot, and is tonked over sweeper cover for yet another maximum.

6 off 2 now and Sri Lanka look to complete a remarkable comeback!

This time the captain goes over deep mid-wicket, and nails it!

The Kandy crowd are in sheer delirium. This is some incredible ball-striking.

12 off 3 now!

The pressure is getting to the left-arm fast bowler.

Shanaka clubs a ridiculous 96-metre six over deep extra-cover to make it 18 off 4.

This is just ridiculous from the Sri Lankan captain, who is standing and delivering.

Shaheen is handed the task to bowl the final over.

Shanaka is able to slice his first ball high over the man at short third for four.

24 off 5 now.

Wellalage fails to reduce the deficit off the final ball after missing his reverse-sweep attempt.

Sri Lanka need 28 off the final over. Pakistan will consider themselves favourites to see this through.

After Shadab delivers another wide outside off, Shanaka adds further damage with an almighty swat over deep extra-cover.

The stroke brings up the skipper’s fifty in just 24 balls.

Shadab is back on for his second over.

He begins inauspiciously with a wide, before allowing a single from his first legitimate ball.

Shanaka then smashes the legspinner straight over his head for a welcome six.

Shaheen bowls well to restrict the batters to just six runs off his over.

The equation for Sri Lanka is 46 off 12 now.

The middle-order batter looks to target the long-on region with a clubbed six.

But he miscues his shot, with the ball falling to Ayub by the boundary edge.

He is applauded off the field as Dunith Wellalage joins Shanaka.

Pavan Rathnayake c (sub) Saim Ayub b Shaheen Afridi 58(37)

The left-arm quick allows just a single from his first two deliveries.

11 runs come off the Naseem over. Sri Lanka now need 52 off 18 balls.

Pakistan will consider themselves favourites at the moment.