Pakistan eke out Super‑8 win

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by five runs in Kandy on February 28, keeping the margin narrow only after Dasun Shanaka’s late assault in the chase. (icc-cricket.com) Pakistan made 212 for 8 after Sahibzada Farhan scored 100 from 60 balls and Fakhar Zaman added 84 from 42 in a 140-run opening stand. Sri Lanka finished on 207 for 6, with Shanaka unbeaten on 76 from 31 balls. (espncricinfo.com) Sri Lanka were 162 for 6 in the 18th over before Shanaka’s hitting dragged the game to the last over. Abrar Ahmed returned 3 for 23, the most economical spell in Pakistan’s attack, while Shaheen Shah Afridi conceded 48 and still had to bowl the finish. (icc-cricket.com) The win came too late to change Group 2. England finished the Super Eight with 6 points, New Zealand and Pakistan both had 3, and New Zealand advanced on net run rate after Pakistan’s earlier washout and loss to England. (espncricinfo.com) That made the match a dead end for Pakistan’s semifinal hopes even as they posted their highest total of the Super Eight. New Zealand’s place was effectively sealed before the last ball because Pakistan needed more than just a win to overhaul the table. (espncricinfo.com) Farhan’s century was the centerpiece of Pakistan’s innings and earned him Player of the Match. The official match page lists him as the award winner after his 100 set up the 213-run target. (icc-cricket.com) Sri Lanka’s chase had support beyond Shanaka, with Pavan Rathnayake making 58 from 37 and Kamil Mishara adding 26 from 15. But wickets at 94 for 4 and 101 for 5 forced Shanaka to rebuild before he launched in the closing overs. (icc-cricket.com) Pakistan’s tournament ended with one win, one loss and one no-result in the Super Eight, while Sri Lanka finished without a point in that stage after losses to England, New Zealand and Pakistan. Pakistan got the result they needed in Kandy, just not the route to stay alive. (espncricinfo.com)