Sri Lanka recovered from a dramatic middle-order collapse to post 150 for seven at Lord’s, with Tillakaratne Dilshan scoring 46, before restricting Pakistan to 131, securing a 19-run Super Eight victory.
Pakistan’s chase was anchored by Younis Khan’s composed 50 and a 66-run partnership with Misbah-ul-Haq, but three wickets in eight balls, including Younis and Shahid Afridi, decisively ended their resistance.
Sri Lanka’s explosive start, powered by Dilshan and Sanath Jayasuriya, produced 59 runs in five overs, while Pakistan conceded 20 extras, before disciplined spin bowling dramatically halted their momentum.
Shahid Afridi’s tight spell triggered Sri Lanka’s slump after 80 in eight overs, yet Lasith Malinga’s superb three for 17 and sharp fielding ensured Pakistan fell short despite a spirited recovery.
T20 World Cup 2009 (Final)
Pakistan clinched the ICC World Twenty20 title at Lord’s, chasing 139 for two to defeat Sri Lanka by eight wickets after restricting them to 138 for six in the final.
Abdul Razzaq’s superb three for 20 reduced Sri Lanka to 32 for four early, while Mohammad Aamer dismissed Tillakaratne Dilshan in the opening over to seize immediate control of the match.
Kumar Sangakkara anchored Sri Lanka with an unbeaten 64 and added 59 runs in the final five overs with Angelo Mathews, but disciplined Pakistani bowling restricted the target effectively.
Shahid Afridi struck a composed unbeaten 54, sharing a decisive 76-run stand with Shoaib Malik after Kamran Akmal’s brisk 37, sealing Pakistan’s victory in the 19th over of the match.
T20 World Cup 2012 (Semi-Final)
Sri Lanka posted 139 for 4 in the 2012 World Twenty20 semi-final in Colombo, with Mahela Jayawardene scoring 42 and Tillakaratne Dilshan 35, before restricting Pakistan to 123 for 7, winning by 16 runs.
On a crumbling, sharply turning pitch at R Premadasa Stadium, Jayawardene’s elegant 42 off 36 balls, featuring inventive sweeps and reverse-sweeps, proved decisive in a tense, low-scoring contest dominated by spin bowling.
Mohammad Hafeez top-scored with 42 and briefly revived Pakistan’s chase, but Kumar Sangakkara’s sharp stumping off Rangana Herath shifted momentum, as Sri Lanka defended 48 runs from the final 35 deliveries.
Herath’s match-winning 3 for 25, supported by disciplined spells from Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal, ensured Sri Lanka reached their second World Twenty20 final, successfully defending 140 despite late resistance from Pakistan.