In a nail-biting clash at the T20 World Cup 2026, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka turned heads with a breathtaking innings that etched his name into cricket history. Facing Pakistan on Saturday, Shanaka unleashed havoc lower down the order, smashing 76 runs off just 31 balls, adorned with 8 sixes and 2 fours. Though Sri Lanka fell short by 5 runs, Shanaka’s fireworks stole the show and shattered multiple records.
Batting at number 7, Shanaka claimed the highest score ever by a player at that position or lower in T20 World Cup history, eclipsing Australia’s Mike Hussey’s unbeaten 60 from 2010 against Pakistan. His 8 sixes also stand as the most by any Sri Lankan in a single T20 match, surpassing Kusal Perera’s 7 against India in 2017. Adding to his haul, Shanaka’s 21 sixes as captain in one World Cup edition broke Rohit Sharma’s previous mark of 19.
The match itself was a thriller. Pakistan, powered by Sahibzada Farhan’s century and Fakhar Zaman’s 84, posted 212 for 8 after Sri Lanka opted to bowl first. In pursuit, Sri Lanka reached 207 for 6. Requiring 28 off the final over from Shaheen Afridi, Shanaka responded with a four followed by three consecutive sixes. Needing 6 off the last two balls, the dream slipped away as Pakistan clung on for a dramatic victory.
Pawan Rathnayake’s 58 off 37 complemented Shanaka’s unbeaten knock, but it wasn’t enough. For Pakistan, this win was crucial for semifinal hopes in Group 2, yet it came too close—needing a chase in 13.1 overs or a 65-run margin—they managed only a 5-run edge, bowing out as New Zealand advanced on superior net run rate behind England. Shanaka’s heroics, however, will be remembered long after the dust settles.