In a gripping Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Pakistan clinched a narrow victory over Sri Lanka, winning by just five runs. However, this win wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the semi-finals, primarily due to a disappointing net run rate (NRR).
After the match, Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha acknowledged the impact of losing the toss, suggesting it was a significant factor in their performance. “Losing the toss always presents challenges, especially with the dew affecting play. If we had won the toss, things might have turned out differently. The dew played a crucial role, and we struggled to implement our strategies. Usman had an off-day, which can happen, but our overall batting was not up to par throughout the tournament,” he explained.
Sahibzada Farhan shone with his remarkable 100 runs off 60 balls, featuring nine fours and five sixes. Agha noted that had Farhan received more backing from his teammates, the outcome could have been different. “If Farhan had more support, we might have performed better. Our middle order has been a recurring issue, and we need to address that. We played well for 18 overs, but the opposition excelled in the remaining two. Even a target of 160 would have been tough to defend,” Agha lamented.
Farhan, despite his century, expressed disappointment, wishing for Fakhar Zaman to also reach a hundred. He attributed his performance to the foundation laid by domestic cricket. “I wanted to contribute more to the team’s success. I hoped Fakhar could score a ton as well. Despite my century, it didn’t help the team, which is why I feel sad. I’ve been in good form, and that boosts my confidence. I knew I could capitalize on the balls in my zone. Domestic cricket has been instrumental in developing my ability to score quickly and heavily,” he stated.
Fakhar Zaman also made a significant contribution, scoring 84 runs off 42 balls, including nine boundaries and four sixes.
In this tournament, Sahibzada Farhan has emerged as a standout player, amassing 383 runs across seven matches with an impressive average of 76.60 and a strike rate of 160.25, which includes two centuries and two fifties, surpassing Virat Kohli’s previous record of 319 runs from the 2014 edition of the tournament.
(With ANI Inputs)