Cricket fans were treated to pure entertainment as Dasun Shanaka lit up the T20 World Cup 2026 with a record-shattering knock against Pakistan. The Sri Lanka captain’s 76 not out off 31 deliveries, laced with 8 sixes and 2 fours, came agonizingly close to pulling off an improbable chase, while setting three monumental milestones.
Shanaka’s score is now the gold standard for No. 7 or lower in T20 World Cup annals, dwarfing Mike Hussey’s 60. He also holds the Sri Lankan T20 record for most sixes in an innings with 8, edging out Kusal Perera. Tournament-wise, his 21 sixes as captain top Rohit Sharma’s 19, a testament to his aggressive leadership.
Opting to field, Sri Lanka faced a barrage as Pakistan racked up 212/8, driven by Sahibzada Farhan’s 100 and Fakhar’s 84. Sri Lanka fought back to 207/6, with Pawan Rathnayake’s 58 providing solidity. The final over drama peaked with Shanaka’s four and three sixes against Shaheen Afridi, leaving 6 runs needed from 2 balls—heartbreak followed as Pakistan won by 5.
This result ended Pakistan’s semifinal aspirations despite the win; they needed more decisive margins. Group 2 saw England and New Zealand progress, the latter on better run rate. Shanaka’s fearless batting redefined lower-order heroism, captivating global audiences in a match defined by its tension and brilliance.