New Zealand reaches T20 World Cup semifinals after Pakistan beats Sri Lanka by only 5 runs
Published on Sunday, 1 March 2026 at 5:33 am
PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka — New Zealand secured a place in the Twenty20 World Cup semifinals in dramatic fashion on Saturday, advancing when Pakistan edged host Sri Lanka by a razor-thin five-run margin in a tense encounter.
The narrow result left New Zealand’s progression dependent on the outcome of the gripping contest at Pallekele, and Pakistan’s slender victory proved just enough to send the Black Caps through to the tournament’s final four.
With both teams locked in a tight battle, every run carried weight, and the final margin underscored the high stakes of the competition. New Zealand now turns its attention to the knockout stage, having advanced without taking the field on the decisive day.
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Source: hjnews
