While Pakistan need a big win against the hosts Sri Lanka to secure their spot for the Semi-finals in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan openers provided a strong start, where Fakhar Zaman slammed a long six inside the crucial powerplay. 

Pakistan need to win their last Super Eights (Group 2) match by at least 65 runs, Sri Lanka chose to field first at Pallekele on Saturday night (February 28).

Watch: Fakhar Zaman slammed 94m long six to Maheesh Theekshana

Pakistani openers, Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman, provided a strong start in the game, as they scored 64/0 at the end of the powerplay. In the fourth over, Fakhar slammed a long 94-meter six after stepping out to the Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana, as the ball traveled huge distance over the long-off. 

Fakhar Zaman steps down and launches one past the long-off boundary.

Pakistan aim to make the most of the powerplay!

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Pakistan openers set new partnership record in T20 World Cup

Pakistan openers Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan slammed a 176-run partnership for the first wicket, which set a new record for the highest partnership for any wicket in the history of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. While Fakhar scored 84 off 42 balls with nine fours and four sixes, Shahibzada just recorded his second century in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Shahibzada was dismissed for 100 off 60 balls with nine fours and five sixes. 

Earlier, during the crucial must-win group stage match against Namibia, Sahibzada Farhan slammed a match-winning hundred, where they claimed a strong win to qualify for the Super Eight stage. In that game, the Pakistan opener scored 100 not out. 

After the former Caribbean cricketer Chris Gayle, Sahibzada Farhan became the second batter to hit two centuries in the history of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. However, the Pakistan opener is the first cricketer to slam more than one century in an edition of the Men's T20 World Cup.