Summary

  • T20 World Cup Super 8s, Group 2, Pallekele

  • Sri Lanka, who already eliminated, win toss and bowl

  • Pakistan need big win - by 64 runs or more - to overtake New Zealand on net run-rate to reach semi-finals

  • Pakistan drop Babar, Ayub and Mirza for Nafay, Naseem and Abrar

  • Opener Farhan breaks record for most runs in single edition of men's T20 World Cup

  • Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live Sport commentary at top of page

  • Have your say using 'Get Involved' button on this page

Have your say on the Men's T20 World Cup

Live Reporting

Timothy Abraham

  1. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    What a shot. To get it as straight as that with a horizontal bat, back over the bowler's head.

    Pressure now on Shanaka - and also on New Zealand.

  2. 6 runs

    Pak 156-0

    Fetch that!

    Sahibzada Farhan with a baseball-style club down the ground for six off Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka.

  3. Pakistan 150-0 at drinks

    Quick bit of liquid refreshment on board.

  4. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    When we drove here today, we knew there was a possibility Pakistan could get through. But it seemed a remote one.

    They're giving themselves a chance here. 10 wickets in hand. Big-hitters to come.

  5. Pak 150-0

    Five overs to go. No wickets for Sri Lanka yet.

    Pakistan's run-rate is 10.71.

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    Pakistan know what they need to do and they’re doing it! What a game we have on our hands here because Sri Lanka will want to ruin their chances so will go hard in their chase!

    Jacob, Brighton

  7. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    What a shot that is. He played it from outside the wide line and through square leg.

    That's two really good shots from Fakhar Zaman.

  8. 6 runs

    Pak 147-0

    Fakhar Zaman ramps it up by ramping Janith Liyanage's first ball for six.

    Next ball he steps across to leg and whips it behind square for four.

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    Sahibzada Farhan (L) and Fakhar Zaman of Pakistan celebrates during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Super 8 match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Pallekele Cricket StadiumGetty Images

    Pakistan never know their best XI at the start of a tournament. They’ve stumbled upon it now but Farhan and Fakhar should be opening the batting.

    Ammar Rao, London

  10. Pak 136-0

    Maheesh Theekshana comes back well in the remainder of the over, conceding just three more runs.

    Fakhar Zaman is 67 not out off 34 balls while Sahibzada Farhan is unbeaten on 66 off 44 balls.

  11. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    It's gone so high that it's gone for six. It didn't come out of the middle of the bat but it just kept going on and on and on.

  12. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    I don't know how that's gone for six. It was so woody on the stump mic.

  13. 6 runs

    Pak 133-0

    Full toss from Maheesh Theekshana and it's muscles to the boundary Fakhar Zaman.

    Worried in Wellington, anxious in Auckland and concerned in Christchurch...

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    Farhan reaches his half-century as Pakistan make 'excellent' start against Sri Lanka

    Mightily impressive from Sahibzada Farhan to break Virat Kohli’s record for most runs in a T20 World Cup, that too in the Super 8s with a rained out game. A bright spark for Pakistan in an otherwise poor tournament performance

    Salmaan, London

  15. 6 runs

    Pak 125-0

    Another six for Fakhar Zaman as he whips Dunith Wellalage over the fielder at deep mid-wicket for six.

    Pakistan are absolutely motoring here.

  16. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Fakhar Zaman is peaking at the right time.

  17. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman (L) plays a shot as Sri Lanka's wicketkeeper Kamil Mishara fields during the 2026 ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup Super Eights match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket StadiumGetty Images

    Fakhar Zaman's been elevated to the top of the order and you think what might have been when you see this partnership and Fakhar smiting it to all parts.

  18. 50 runs

    Half-century for Fakhar

    Fakhar reaches half-century as Pakistan total continues to build

    Fakhar Zaman whips Dunith Wellalage behind squad for four.

    He has fifty.

  19. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    It's exactly what Pakistan wanted and needed - going at 10 an over without losing a wicket. It's the perfect platform.

    What they won't want is to lose a wicket and then collapse in a heap, which they've done before.

  20. Pak 113-0

    Farhan 'heaves' Wellalage delivery over long on for six

    Dunith Wellalage is hammered over long-on by Sahibzada Farhan.

    Even after a quiet over, Pakistan hit back.