A heroic effort from Dasun Shanaka nearly scripted one of the great T20 World Cup comebacks, as Sri Lanka came within a whisker of stunning Pakistan. The captain’s blistering 76 off 31 balls—8 sixes, 2 fours—clinched three landmark records amid a chase that had the crowd on edge.
At No. 7, Shanaka’s knock is the highest ever at that slot in T20 World Cups, surpassing Hussey’s 60. His 8 maximums set a new Sri Lankan T20 benchmark, overtaking Perera’s 7, and his 21 sixes as captain in the tournament broke Sharma’s record. Power-packed and precise, it was vintage Shanaka.
Pakistan’s innings exploded to 212/8 after winning the toss to bat, with Farhan’s century and Zaman’s 84 doing the damage. Sri Lanka replied with 207/6, Rathnayake’s 58 laying the foundation. Needing 28 from the last over, Shanaka’s response—a four and three straight sixes—ignited hopes, but the final two dots handed Pakistan a 5-run victory.
For Pakistan, survival hinged on a big win for semis, but this slim margin sealed their exit. New Zealand sneaked in over them on net run rate in Group 2, following England. Shanaka’s innings transcended the loss, showcasing the unpredictable magic of T20 cricket and earning him eternal admiration.