02/28/26 12:55:00
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02/28 12:53 CST New Zealand reaches T20 World Cup semifinals after Pakistan
beats Sri Lanka by only 5 runs
New Zealand reaches T20 World Cup semifinals after Pakistan beats Sri Lanka by
only 5 runs
PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AP) --- New Zealand backed into the Twenty20 World Cup
semifinals when Pakistan could only narrowly beat Sri Lanka in a gripping match
on Saturday.
Pakistan had to restrict Sri Lanka's chase to 147 to advance from the Super
Eights at New Zealand's expense.
It looked achievable when Pakistan reduced Sri Lanka to 101-5 in the 12th over.
But its hopes were foiled when Pavan Rathnayake and captain Dasun Shanaka led
Sri Lanka to 148 in the 16th over.
But then Pakistan found itself in danger of failing to defend its highest ever
T20 World Cup total, 212.
Shanaka began the last over against Shaheen Shah Afridi by slamming 4-6-6-6.
Sri Lanka could pull off a heist with six runs needed off the last two balls.
But Shanaka missed trying to scoop the fifth ball and left the sixth, a yorker,
thinking it was wide. It was not.
Pakistan won by five runs and bowed out of the tournament on net run rate,
-0.123 to New Zealand's 1.390.
"When I lost the toss it was always going to be challenging because of the
dew," Pakistan captain Salman Agha said. "It was a good pitch. Restricting (Sri
Lanka) to 148 was going to be challenging --- we tried."
Tournament co-host Sri Lanka was already out of semifinals contention but
finished its fourth straight defeat to applause from its home crowd after going
down swinging.
"Sometimes as players we feel the pressure," Shanaka said. I wanted to say
sorry to all the fans because we fell down. It was a close game, I could've
finished it. Well bowled to Shaheen."
England, New Zealand and South Africa have nailed semifinal spots. Defending
champion India --- the only Asian team left --- and the West Indies meet for
the last spot on Sunday in Kolkata. With Pakistan knocked out, co-host India
will host both semifinals next week and the final on March 8.
Farhan breaks Kohli record
Pakistan was made to bat first and openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman
combined for 176 runs, the highest ever partnership in men's T20 World Cup
history. They eclipsed the 175 by New Zealanders Tim Seifert and Finn Allen on
Feb. 10.
Farhan's blistering 100 off 60 balls also blew away Virat Kohli's single
tournament runs record of 319 in 2014. Farhan passed Kohli when he reached 40.
He has 383 after two centuries and two half-centuries.
"The ton didn't work for the team, that's why I'm sad," Farhan said. "I have
been feeling well, that brings confidence. I knew I could hit whatever was in
my arc."
Zaman was promoted to opener for the first time in the tournament and the
left-hander slammed 84 off 42 balls as Pakistan posted 212-8.
Sri Lanka could have broken their stand in the 11th over but didn't go for a
television referral when replays suggested Zaman edged behind on 46 and the
partnership at 107-0.
Their stand of 176 finished in the 16th over when Zaman played onto his stumps.
Sri Lanka fought back with eight wickets in the final 26 balls for 36 runs.
Farhan, dropped on 76, fell in the final over after htting five sixes and nine
fours.
"We didn't bat well in the tournament," Agha said. "It was only Sahibzada
Farhan who batted exceptionally well. Our batting was always a concern,
especially the middle order. It's been an issue for a few years now."
Fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka grabbed 3-33 and Shanaka took 2-42.
Sri Lanka's top order was rattled by Abrar Ahmed (3-23), one of three changes
by Pakistan. But with the ball getting wet because of dew it became difficult
for the bowlers to hit the right lengths.
Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq struggled with his grip and returned 0-43, ending
his streak of consecutive T20 innings with a wicket at 26, two shy of the
record.
Rathnayake anchored Sri Lanka with 58 off 37 and Shanaka almost achieved the
miracle at the death. Shanaka smashed eight sixes and two fours in his unbeaten
76 off 31 balls.
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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
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