Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman turned Pallekele into their personal fiefdom, crafting a record-shattering 176-run opening partnership that now stands as the pinnacle of T20 World Cup collaborations. Batting first against hosts Sri Lanka, Pakistan racked up 212 for 8, fueled by this extraordinary effort in 15.5 overs.
Fakhar’s 42-ball 84 was a fireworks display, perfectly complemented by Farhan’s tournament-second century—100 off 60, studded with 9 boundaries and 5 towering sixes. The pair dismantled Sri Lanka’s bowling, leaving them chasing shadows early on.
Momentum shifted dramatically post-partnership. Shadab Khan scratched 7 runs, Nawaz walked back scoreless, captain Agha was dismissed without troubling scorers, and Usman Khan’s 8 off 4 offered fleeting hope.
This total marks Pakistan’s second-best in T20 World Cup history, thanks to the openers’ brilliance. Madushanka’s 3/33 and Shanaka’s brace gave Sri Lanka a lifeline.
Three changes in the lineup saw Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Salman Mirza omitted. Semifinal qualification demands a 64-run triumph; otherwise, New Zealand claims the spot.