New Zealand has been left celebrating in the team hotel as it watched Pakistan fall short in its bold bid to pinch a place in the T20 World Cup semifinals.
Pakistan needed to conjure up a 65-run victory or better against co-hosts Sri Lanka in Pallekele to qualify ahead of the Black Caps but though it amassed a huge 8-212, headed by a record-breaking ton from Sahibzada Farhan, it ultimately could only manage a five-run victory in a thrilling conclusion.
Yet there must have been some nervous moments for New Zealand skipper Mitch Santner and his team as they watched the drama unfold on television back in Colombo as Pakistan tried to restrict Sri Lanka to a total of 147 or less that would have eliminated the Kiwis.
When Sri Lanka fell to 5-101 off 12 overs it still looked feasible that Pakistan could pull it off, but a magnificent counter-attack by Pavan Rathnayake, who crashed a 37-ball 58, ensured its dream was buried once Sri Lanka motored to 147 in the 16th over.
Loading Twitter content
More drama was still to come as Sri Lanka, already eliminated from its own tournament, launched one final heroic attempt to end a disappointing campaign with a glorious victory, led by captain Dasun Shanaka.
Needing 28 from the last over bowled by Pakistan’s star quick Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shanaka sent the crowd into a frenzy as he smoked the first four balls for 4, 6, 6 and 6.
Sri Lanka needed six from the final two balls, but on the first the skipper attempted a hugely ambitious reverse scoop that didn’t make contact and then he left the final delivery, feeling sure Afridi’s slanted yorker would be called wide.
It was deemed a legal delivery though, leaving Shanaka unbeaten on 76 out of Sri Lanka’s 6-207, having clouted eight sixes in his remarkable 31-ball effort.
Earlier Pakistan, who’d been put in to bat by Shanaka, had been prepared to gamble by dropping superstar Babar Azam and thrusting Fakhar Zaman up the order.
Loading Instagram content
Along with their star of the tournament Farhan, Fakhar smashed the bowling to all parts of the Pallekele International Stadium as the pair racked up a remarkable opening partnership of 176 in just 16.5 overs.
The 29-year-old late bloomer Farhan enjoyed another landmark day, going past Virat Kohli’s 12-year-old record of 319 runs in a single T20 World Cup before becoming the first man to score two tons in one edition.
While Fakhar eventually fell for 84, with nine fours and two sixes, Farhan went on to three-figures off 59 balls.
Pakistan couldn’t keep up the momentum as wickets tumbled swiftly. None of its other batters could reach double figures as they eked out 14 for the loss of five wickets over the last couple of overs.
AAP
dan