Heartbreak at Pallekele: Sri Lanka lost by 5 runs to Pakistan in a T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 blockbuster, but Dasun Shanaka scripted history. The skipper’s unbeaten 76 off 31 balls – boasting 8 sixes and 2 fours – catapulted him to No. 1 among T20 World Cup captains for sixes, with 21 now to his name, overtaking Rohit Sharma’s 19.
Shanaka’s eight maximums set a fresh benchmark for Sri Lankans in T20s, surpassing Perera’s 7 in 2017. It was a captain’s innings for the ages, nearly pulling off an improbable chase.
Pakistan’s 212/8 was built on a sensational opening stand. Fakhar Zaman’s 84 (42 balls, 9×4, 4×6) and Sahibzada Farhan’s ton (9×4, 5×6) amassed 176 runs before the innings unraveled. Sri Lanka’s Madushanka (3/??), Shanaka (2), and Chameera (1) kept it tight.
Sri Lanka’s pursuit saw Rathnayake’s gritty 58 (37 balls), but Shanaka stole the show. Pakistan countered with Abrar Ahmed’s 3 wickets, sealing a narrow win as Lanka ended on 207/6.
In the elite list, Gayle and Buttler tie at 17 sixes, Dhoni at 16. Shanaka’s feat, born from defeat, underscores his explosive prowess and leadership. As the tournament intensifies, this record cements his legacy in T20 World Cups.