In a breathtaking display of power-hitting at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan’s openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman rewrote T20 World Cup history on Saturday. Their explosive 176-run partnership for the first wicket in just 15.5 overs shattered the previous record for the highest stand in the tournament’s history.
Opting to bat first after losing the toss against Sri Lanka, Pakistan posted a formidable 212 for 8. Farhan anchored the innings with a masterful second century of the tournament, smashing 100 off 60 balls, including 9 fours and 5 sixes. Fakhar, equally destructive, bludgeoned 84 runs off 42 deliveries, setting the tone for a high-scoring thriller.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers were left reeling as the duo dominated from the outset. However, once the openers departed, Pakistan’s middle order crumbled. Shadab Khan managed just 7, Mohammad Nawaz was out for a duck, captain Salman Agha failed to open his account, and Usman Khan chipped in with a quick 8 off 4 balls.
Despite the late wobble, the historic opening stand propelled Pakistan to their second-highest total in T20 World Cup history. For Sri Lanka, Dilhshan Madushanka shone with 3 for 33 in 4 overs, while captain Dasun Shanaka claimed 2 wickets.
Pakistan fielded a revamped lineup, dropping Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Salman Mirza. To secure a semifinal spot, they now need a thumping 64-run victory over Sri Lanka; failure would hand New Zealand the ticket to the final four.