NEW DELHI: Dasun Shanaka's breathtaking assault was not enough to prevent a narrow five run defeat for Sri Lanka, but it did knock Pakistan out of the ICC T20 World Cup as New Zealand joined table toppers England from Group 2 in the semifinals on Saturday.

With 28 required off the last over, the Sri Lankan captain hammered Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/48) for three successive sixes and a four to reduce the equation to six off the final ball. However, Shanaka left the last delivery expecting a wide that never came from the umpire.

Shanaka smashed eight sixes and two fours in his unbeaten 76 off just 31 balls as Sri Lanka closed at 206/7 in response to Pakistan’s 212/8. Pakistan had needed to keep the islanders under 147 to overtake New Zealand on net run rate and seal a semifinal berth.

Farhan Zaman record stand in vain

Sahibzada Farhan’s second century of the tournament and his record 176 run partnership, the highest for any wicket in T20 World Cup history, alongside Fakhar Zaman (84) ultimately went in vain. Pakistan were left ruing a dramatic late collapse that saw them lose eight wickets for 36 runs in the final four overs.

From a commanding 176/0 in the 16th over, Pakistan slipped to 212/8 as Sri Lanka’s bowlers finally found control and breakthroughs.

Pakistan had to win by at least 64 runs to edge past the Kiwis. But apart from Abrar Ahmed’s impressive 4 0 23 3 spell, there was little support from the rest of the attack.

Sri Lanka, who were struggling at 101/5 in the 12th over, staged a spirited comeback through Pavan Rathnayake’s 58 off 37 balls and Shanaka’s explosive finish during their 61 run partnership for the sixth wicket.

England, unbeaten in their three Super Eights matches, topped Group 2 while New Zealand progressed as the second team.

It was still a bitter end for Farhan, who surpassed Virat Kohli’s record of 319 runs for most runs in a single T20 World Cup edition.

The 29 year old Farhan amassed 383 runs in seven matches at an average of 76.60 and a strike rate of 160.25, striking two hundreds and two fifties.

Sri Lanka stumble before fightback

Sri Lanka began poorly on a flat surface as Naseem Shah dismissed Pathum Nissanka (3) with a slower ball outside off. Kamil Mishara (26) and Charith Asalanka (25) also got starts but failed to convert them.

Abrar was precise and relentless, rattling the stumps of Mishara, Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis to leave Sri Lanka in deep trouble.

Earlier, Farhan and Zaman stitched together a record opening stand to propel Pakistan to a daunting total.

The Pakistan openers attacked from the outset in their quest for a massive score, aided by Sri Lanka’s sloppy fielding in the first half.

Zaman, who made a 42 ball 84 before chopping one onto his stumps, survived two chances as the Sri Lankan bowlers repeatedly strayed into his hitting arc.

He struck nine fours and four sixes in a fluent innings.

On 15, a chance went through Maheesh Theekshana’s hands for a boundary off Shanaka. On 46, Sri Lanka opted against a DRS review for a caught behind despite a strong appeal.

Farhan, who scored 100 off 60 balls with nine fours and five sixes, set the tone early as Pakistan crossed 50 inside five overs while maintaining a scoring rate of at least 10 per over.

Sri Lanka seemed short of plans against the in form batter, repeatedly offering width outside off or straying down leg.

Farhan too enjoyed slices of fortune. On the final ball of the 15th over, Dunith Wellalage sprinted in from long off but dropped a catch, handing him a reprieve.

Instead of returning the ball quickly, Wellalage checked his finger and only later realised the ball was still live.

Then, on the first ball of the 16th over, Janith Liyanage stepped onto the boundary rope while completing a catch as Farhan survived yet again.

However, once Farhan departed immediately after reaching his hundred, Pakistan’s innings unravelled in dramatic fashion, costing them crucial runs at the death.

(With PTI Inputs)