History was scripted at Pallekele as Pakistan openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman unleashed a 176-run first-wicket stand—the biggest ever in T20 World Cup lore. Facing Sri Lanka, Pakistan lost the toss but capitalized, amassing 212 for 8 on the back of this sensational alliance spanning 15.5 overs.
Fakhar Zaman set ablaze with 84 off 42 balls, his strokeplay a masterclass in T20 aggression. Farhan eclipsed him with a second tournament hundred, 100 from 60 deliveries featuring 9 fours and 5 sixes, reducing Sri Lankan bowlers to mere spectators.
The middle-order implosion that followed was painful: Shadab’s 7, Nawaz’s golden duck, Agha’s failure to score, and Usman Khan’s brisk 8 off 4. Yet, the openers’ fireworks secured Pakistan’s second-highest T20 WC total.
Sri Lanka’s Madushanka starred with 3/33, Shanaka grabbing 2. Pakistan’s team tweaks excluded Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Salman Mirza.
A minimum 64-run win is imperative for semifinal progression; slip up, and New Zealand advances effortlessly.