After defeats to Australia and New Zealand, Sri Lanka could not afford another slip-up and produced a commanding performance at the Gabba.
Afghanistan were limited to 144-8, in which six batters reached double figures, but nobody went further than Rahmanullah Gurbaz's 28 at the top of the order.
That was in a large part down to man of the match Hasaranga's wily leg spin that brought him brilliant figures of 3-13, including the wickets of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the final over.
Sri Lanka were 46-2 after 7.5 overs of their reply, but Dhananjaya was in no mood to let this one slip away, and his sublime unbeaten 66 from 42 balls saw the team home.
He cracked two sixes and six fours, including the boundary through cover that saw Sri Lanka over the winning line with nine balls to spare, reaching 148-4, nicely teeing up their final Group 1 game against England at the SCG on Saturday.
Hail Hasaranga
Already the leading performer with the ball in this year's tournament, Hasaranga's haul improved his tally to 13 wickets, and trimmed his average to 13.53.
This time around he delivered 12 dot balls and avoided being struck for a boundary as Afghanistan struggled to read him, defeat ending their hopes of going any further.
Mujeeb edges nearer landmark
Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 2-24 for Afghanistan, removing Pathum Nissanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa, to reach 48 wickets in T20Is. After washouts against Ireland and New Zealand, he and his team-mates would have been glad to play some part in a contest on Tuesday.
Now off-spinner Mujeeb has one more chance while at this tournament to become the third Afghanistan bowler to reach 50 T20I wickets, with Afghanistan rounding off their campaign against hosts Australia on Friday in Adelaide.
England are down in third in Group 1 with two games to play, dropping below Australia following their defeat of Ireland on Monday.
Jos Buttler's side cannot afford to slip up against the Black Caps, but assistant coach Paul Collingwood believes this to be the sort of scenario in which superstar Stokes thrives.
The Test captain averages just 18.57 in the shortest format and has never hit a T20I fifty, yet Collingwood has no doubt about his ability in "must-win games".
"The one person you want in your team when the pressure is on is Ben Stokes," Collingwood said.
"We all know what he's capable of, and not just match-winning innings, but match-winning innings under serious amounts of pressure.
"If it comes down to the crunch, you want a man like Ben Stokes walking out.
"It's not just what he gives with the bat – the options with the ball and the skill level he brings into the field as well. It's not always just the runs that he makes, but it's everything else that he gives.
"But I'm pretty confident there's an innings just around the corner, and now we're coming into the crucial part of the World Cup, it's almost a knockout stage for us.
"It's must-win games. You always see Ben come to the fore in those situations."
Opponents New Zealand are in a healthier position after two wins from their two completed matches, leading the standings.
But fast bowler Lockie Ferguson knows his team cannot afford complacency as they prepare to face England.
"There's a long way to go for us, and we need to make sure we take it game by game," he said.
"England's going to have a lot of firepower for us that we need to combat in this next game. I'm sure the boys will be up for the next challenge.
"[I expect] what you always expect from England. They come out very hot, they pride themselves on that aggressive nature, and they bat very deep.
"We need to come out with our own brand of aggressive play, but that's not to say it's anything different to what we have done."
Stokes' unbeaten 42 helped England to a four-wicket win over Sri Lanka on Saturday, ensuring they progressed from Group 1 after bouncing back from their below-par start to the tournament.
Things looked bleak for Jos Buttler's team when they slipped to a shock defeat against Ireland in their second group game, while they were also forced to endure a nervy finish against Sri Lanka after losing five wickets in the space of just seven overs.
However, Stokes expects England to produce a more polished display in Adelaide on Thursday, saying: "We had a few up and down moments in the group stages, but we can forget about those now.
"We know if we execute anywhere near where we want to be then we will be a very hard team to beat.
"We're in a position now that it's do or die. What I don't think anyone will do is take a backward step.
"We talk a lot about how we want to play when it comes to the pressure moments, and what we'll see here is us trying to deliver on what we talk about, not taking the cautious option."
Stokes was part of the England team that beat India en route to being crowned ODI world champions in 2019, and he thinks Buttler's side must replicate the approach they adopted in that win.
"It's the way we went out and played that game, rather than looking at the result, just look at the mindset and mentality," Stokes said.
"We didn't take a backward step, so I think we can take a lot of confidence, knowing that if we go in with a similar mindset then hopefully, we'll do alright."
Meanwhile, Stokes says England will trust the advice of security consultant Reg Dickason as they prepare for a red-ball tour of Pakistan next month, with the build-up to that visit being overshadowed by a gun attack on Imran Khan.
"Obviously what happened last week was a bit of a shock to see," Stokes said. "But Reg has been out there. He's the best man to assess the situation.
"Whatever Reg comes back with, the players and the people going out on that tour 100 per cent trust him, because he's a man you trust with your life."
The final of the tournament is scheduled to take place at the MCG on Sunday after Pakistan beat New Zealand and England overcame India in the semi-finals.
However, according to the Bureau of Meteorology in Australia, there is a 95 per cent chance of rain in Melbourne on Sunday, with predicted rainfall of up to 25mm and chances of thunderstorms.
Should no play be possible on Sunday, the final could take place on Monday, though that forecast is not much better with rain again deemed likely.
At least 10 overs per team are required to complete a final – up from five overs in the group stage – the failure of which would see the strange occurrence of Pakistan and England being crowned joint champions.
In what has been an otherwise exciting tournament, it would be the fourth match lost to rain at the iconic MCG, which saw three matches washed out by the weather in the group stage, including England's clash with hosts Australia.
Afif Hossain top scored with 38 as the Tigers were restricted to 144-8 in their opening Group 2 game in Hobart on Monday.
Paul van Meekeren (2-21) and Bas de Leede (2-29) claimed two wickets apiece to keep Bangladesh down to a total that the Dutch would have felt they could chase down.
Paceman ensured it was advantage Bangladesh by taking two wickets with the first two deliveries of the run chase, dismissing Vikramjit Singh and De Leede.
Netherlands were deep in the mire at 15-4 after Max O'Dowd and Tom Cooper were run out, but a half-century from Colin Ackermann gave them hope.
Ackermann struck 62 off 48 balls, but he lacked support and the Dutch were all out for 135.
Taskin too hot to handle
It was an impressive spell with the ball from Taskin, who took four wickets in a T20I for the first time in his career.
His figures of 4-25 earned him the player of the match award, removing Ackermann and Shariz Ahmad after his brilliant first over.
Ackermann shows resistance
It proved to be in vain, but Ackermann impressed with the bat after coming in at number four.
He scored two of Netherlands' four sixes, while also hitting six fours as to prevent his side from being embarrassed.
The left-arm paceman rolled his ankle during a fielding drill ahead of Monday's warm-up win over Pakistan at the Gabba.
Topley will be assessed before Jos Buttler's side take on Afghanistan in their Group 1 opener at Perth Stadium.
England will face a qualifier in their second World Cup match next Wednesday, then face hosts Australia two days later.
The quick has made an impressive return to the international stage after fears his career could be over due to back injuries.
Topley played in all three of England's matches in the recent T20I series win over Australia, having featured in four of the seven games in the 4-3 victory in Pakistan.
The Blacks Caps qualified for the last four as Group 1 winners, winning three matches and only suffering one defeat against England.
Beaten by Australia in the final in Dubai last year, the consistent Black Caps once again find themselves challenging for another trophy.
New Zealand have never won the T20 World Cup but have a great chance to put the heartbreak of the 2021 final behind them in Australia.
Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi have all shown their quality with the ball for the Black Caps.
Captain Williamson knows he is lucky to have such a strong attack.
He said: "They're experienced players for us. They've played for us a long time, whether that's taking wickets or, in particular, adjusting to conditions which certainly we need them to come to tournaments, world events, that's a big part of playing.
"So they've been outstanding throughout this tournament. And tomorrow we're at another venue against another opposition, and we'll have to make those adjustments again."
Pakistan sneaked into the semi-finals thanks to the Netherlands' shock defeat of South Africa after Babar Azam's side beat Bangladesh.
Williamson knows how dangerous Pakistan can be as they prepare for a showdown at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with the winners facing England or India.
"They've got an outstanding pace attack. They've been playing really good cricket. They've got very experienced players on their side, who are match-winners. So, that's a real strength for them," the batter said.
Pakistan beat New Zealand in a tri-series final last month and have won four of the past five matches between the two sides in the shortest format.
Afridi firing on all cylinders
Shaheen Shah Afridi has demonstrated why Pakistan were so eager for him to return to full fitness for this tournament after a spell out with a knee injury.
The left-arm paceman looked understandably rusty at the start of the Super 12 stage, but played a huge part in seeing Pakistan through by claiming 3-14 in a win over South Africa and 4-22 in the victory over the Tigers.
Afridi takes some stopping when he is at his hostile best and New Zealand's openers will need to try and see him off when he charges in with the new ball.
Babar due to show his brilliance
Pakistan have been able to count on captain Babar time and again with the bat, but he had not reached double figures before making 25 against Bangladesh.
The prolific skipper never tends to go long without a significant score and it would be no surprise if he delivers on the big stage in Sydney.
Run machine Babar averages an impressive 41.39 in T20Is, with a strike rate of 127.98.
Ervine's assured 58 set the platform for Zimbabwe to chase down Scotland's 132-6, which was anchored by 54 from George Munsey.
Zimbabwe reached their target with nine balls to spare, posting 133-5, with a key to their victory being a fourth-wicket partnership of 64 between Ervine and Sikandar Raza, who rattled to 40 from just 23 balls and took man-of-the-match honours.
Ryan Burl struck the winning boundary for Zimbabwe, whose opening bowler Tendai Chatara earlier kept it tight to stifle Scotland, taking 2-14 from his four overs.
Zimbabwe had beaten Ireland in their tournament opener before losing to West Indies, while Scotland beat West Indies but lost to Ireland, setting up Friday's game in Hobart as a winner-takes-all tussle.
The victory for Zimbabwe secured top spot in Group B of the first-round stage, earning a place in Group 2 of the Super 12 stage, where they will face Bangladesh, India, Netherlands, Pakistan and South Africa.
Scotland go home, as do West Indies following their defeat to Ireland earlier on Friday.
Ireland, as runners-up to Zimbabwe, progress into Group 1 where Afghanistan, Australia, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka await them.
Zimbabwe will stay in Hobart for their Super 12 opener, an appetising clash with South Africa on Monday.
The 47-year-old former captain revealed on March 27 he had been experiencing "mild symptoms", prompting him to undergo a check for COVID-19.
On April 2, he announced he had been admitted to hospital "as a matter of abundant precaution under medical advice".
Tendulkar, the highest-scoring batsman in Test cricket history with 15,921 runs, declared on Twitter on Thursday that he had left his hospital bed.
He wrote: "I have just come home from the hospital and will remain isolated while continuing to rest and recuperate.
"I would like to thank everyone for all the good wishes and prayers. Really appreciate it. I remain ever grateful to all the medical staff who took such good care of me and have been working tirelessly for over a year in such difficult circumstances."
Earlier this month, it was announced that England would travel to Pakistan for the first time in 17 years for a seven-match T20 series in September, and the dates have now been confirmed for the Test team's visit three months later.
Security concerns have prevented England from touring Pakistan since 2005, when Michael Vaughan's Ashes-winning side succumbed to a 3-2 series defeat.
But Brendon McCullum's red-ball side will now face Pakistan in a three-match series before the end of the year, travelling to Multan and Karachi after playing their first ever Test match in Rawalpindi.
The contests will follow on from a camp in Abu Dhabi, which will begin on November 18 and will take in a three-day warm-up match against the Lions at the Zayed Cricket Complex.
Clare Connor, the ECB's interim chief executive officer, said: "The return of our men's Test team to Pakistan for the first time since 2005 will be an historic occasion.
"The opportunity to play Test cricket in front of passionate cricket-lovers in Pakistan after such a long time is something to be cherished.
"We have been working closely with the PCB over recent months and I am grateful to them for everything they have done, and continue to do, to make our Test and T20 tours a mouth-watering prospect for all involved."
The PCB's director of international cricket Zakir Kahn added: "We are pleased that the Pakistan and England Test rivalry, which has historically produced close and tight matches, will return to our backyards in December.
"Both the sides have evolved since they last played in Pakistan in 2005 and have recently been playing entertaining and exciting cricket.
"I remain confident this series will live up to the expectations of the global cricket fans who want to watch and enjoy competitive and thrilling matches."
Before England can switch their focus to the trip to Pakistan, they must find a way to overturn a 1-0 deficit in their ongoing three-match series against South Africa, having been thrashed within three days at Lord's last week.
After losing the first match, India are now 2-1 up in the series after three games having held out for a 23-run victory on Wednesday.
Shubman Gill settled straight back in after returning to the squad following their World Cup success, hitting 66 off 49 balls to set India on their way.
With Yashasvi Jaiswal (36) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (49) also finding their rhythm early on, India set an impressive target of 182-4.
Zimbabwe struggled in the field but also got off to a slow start with the bat until Dion Myers entered the fray, getting 65 not out to give the hosts some hope.
Washington Sundar's three wickets soon put a halt to their comeback as they fell short.
Raza was left to lament a frustrating game but was optimistic they could get back to their best.
"Think [the problem] is the fielding again," Raza said. "We are very proud of it, but the wheels are coming off again.
"We gave away 20 runs extra. We still have problems at the top [with the bat], but we are backing the boys. I know they are trying and once they do, we will come good again.
"It is time we players including me take the responsibility. I can accept some mistakes from the young side, but the seniors need to step up. But we need to back them.
"This is the best we have and this is the best that we can do. The game always rewards you, always does."
The fourth match will take place on Saturday, and a win for India would confirm their series win.
Data Debrief: India just too strong
Gll sped to his half-century in just 36 balls, earning his first 50 as India's T20I captain.
Despite their strong batting display, India were also the beneficiaries of 31 runs after Zimbabwe struggled to take their chances out on the field. The eventual win margin for India: 23.
Smith's reign as Australia captain ended when he was banned from international cricket for a year and prevented from taking a leadership role for his country for two years due to the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal.
Tim Paine took over as Test skipper and Aaron Finch white-ball captain, but Smith stated that he wants another chance to take charge again.
"I've certainly had a lot of time to think about it and I guess now I've got to a point where if the opportunity did come up again, I would be keen," the 31-year-old told News Corp.
"If it was what Cricket Australia wanted and it was what was best for the team at the time, it's certainly something I would be interested in now, that's for sure,"
He added: "Time keeps moving forward, and I've learnt so much the last few years about myself and grown as a human being.
"I feel as though I'd be in a better place if the opportunity did come up. If it doesn't, that's fine as well and I'd support whoever is in charge the same way I've supported Tim and Finchy. I haven't always felt like I wanted to do it again. That's only come in the last little bit."
Yet Australia head coach Langer says both Paine and Finch are secure in their positions.
"We have two very good captains and two important competitions coming up – an Ashes and a T20 World Cup. Our future looks good," he told the ABC.
"Despite the media chatter there is no captaincy position available."
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the appointment on Monday. Trescothick will begin his role in mid-March, leaving his post as assistant coach at Somerset.
Trescothick featured in 76 Test matches for England, scoring 5,825 runs at an average of 43.79. He is 16th on England's list of all-time Test run-scorers and tallied 14 centuries.
He played in 123 ODIs for England, scoring 4,335 runs including 12 hundreds.
In other appointments, Young Lions head coach Jon Lewis has been promoted to elite pace bowling coach while ex-New Zealand spinner Jeetan Patel has been named elite spin bowling coach following several temporary spells working with the men's team.
ECB performance director Mo Bobat said: "Following an extensive recruitment process, I'm really excited about the calibre of the individuals that we've appointed into these specialist roles.
"Marcus, Jon and Jeetan have demonstrated their ability at the highest level and also show huge potential for the future. Working alongside Carl Hopkinson, our current elite fielding coach, we have the makings of a strong specialist coaching team, possessing a diverse range of experience.
"Working in conjunction with counties, they will have responsibility for developing and preparing current and next-in-line England players whilst also adding value to our England and Lions environments. In addition, they will support the development of our best under-19 players through our Young Lions programme."
The batsman faced a hearing in Lahore on Monday over two alleged breaches of the PCB's anti-corruption code.
The 29-year-old was accused of "failing to disclose to the PCB vigilance and security department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the participant to engage in corrupt conduct under this anti-corruption code".
Akmal, who was provisionally suspended on February 20, was facing a maximum of a lifetime ban if found guilty.
The PCB issued a tweet on Monday, confirming: "Umar Akmal handed three-year ban from all cricket by Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel Mr Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan."
Akmal has played 121 ODIs and 84 Twenty20 Internationals, also featuring in 16 Tests between 2009 and 2011.
The batsman was provisionally suspended from all cricket-related activities on February 20 under article 4.7.1 of the code, but the PCB did not give any further details of alleged wrongdoing.
Akmal has now been deemed to have breached article 2.4.4 in two unrelated incidents.
The 29-year-old has been charged with "failing to disclose to the PCB vigilance and security department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the participant to engage in corrupt conduct under this anti-corruption code".
Akmal has until March 31 to respond in writing. If guilty, he could be handed a suspension ranging from six months to a lifetime ban.
He has played 121 ODIs and 84 Twenty20 Internationals, also featuring in 16 Tests between 2009 and 2011.
Akmal was punished for two breaches of the PCB's anti-corruption code at a hearing in Lahore on Monday.
The batsman was charged with "failing to disclose to the PCB vigilance and security department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the participant to engage in corrupt conduct under this anti-corruption code".
Rizvi later revealed that Akmal, who has played for Pakistan 221 times across all formats, showed a lack of remorse.
"He was repeatedly attempting to justify his folly. His reply was confused, he neither accepted his position nor denied it," said Rizvi.
"He did admit the questionable incidents, yet was offering frivolous justifications for non-reporting. When you admit violation, you leave yourself to the mercy of the tribunal.
"There is no general exception in the anti-corruption code that you report on your wish or convenience. You either report or do not report."
He added: "Even today, the honourable judge asked him [Akmal] on a clear note if he accepts his indiscretions, but he insisted on justifying his failures.
"He was charged on two counts, for two different unrelated incidents while Mohammad Irfan [who was suspended for one year] and others had completely different cases.
"Irfan got a lesser ban because he had accepted his mistake and agreed to the imposed sanctions. But Umar Akmal tried to justify why he didn't report.
"This three-year ban on the basis of non-reporting is considered appropriate. The PCB was asking for a stiffer sentence.
"It's high time that duration of the ban should be increased because it's very clear that players are not learning the lessons as much as they should have.
"So as far as the legal side is concerned, I am very satisfied as the duration of the ban is reasonable, justified and proportionate.”
The batsman was charged with two alleged breaches of rules set out in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) anti-corruption code in two unrelated incidents.
The 29-year-old is accused of "failing to disclose to the PCB vigilance and security department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the participant to engage in corrupt conduct under this anti-corruption code".
Akmal, who was provisionally suspended on February 20, could face a lifetime ban if found guilty.
He did not request a hearing before the anti-corruption tribunal after being charged with breaches of article 2.4.4 of the PCB code.
Akmal has played 121 ODIs and 84 Twenty20 Internationals, also featuring in 16 Tests between 2009 and 2011.
Stuurman, 28, was on Friday among given a first international call-up for three Twenty20 matches and as many ODIs across November and December.
Paceman Kagiso Rabada would have missed an ODI series against India that ended up being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic due to a groin injury but will face Eoin Morgan's side.
Fellow quick Junior Dala is also fit again and has been included in a 24-man squad.
The Proteas and Eoin Morgan's side start the T20 series behind closed doors at Newlands on November 27 and the first ODI will be staged on December 4.
Newly appointed convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang said: "We're very excited to be announcing this squad.
"With the bio-secure environment where movement in and out of the squad will be limited, we had to make sure that we have all our bases covered with the 24 players.
"It also gives the team the opportunity to play some intra-squad games just to make sure that they sharpen up those white-ball skills before the series start."
South Africa squad:
Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Junior Dala, Faf du Plessis, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Janneman Malan, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, JJ Smuts, Glenton Stuurman, Pite van Biljon, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne.
Philippe, Daniel Sams and Riley Meredith were included in a 21-man touring party.
Australia named a preliminary squad last month amid uncertainty over the tour due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it was confirmed on Friday the matches would go ahead in September.
Philippe scored 487 runs at an average of 37.46 for the Sydney Sixers during the 2019-20 Big Bash League, while the Sydney Thunder's Sams (30) was the leading wicket-taker.
Meredith, meanwhile, took 10 wickets at 13.70 in six games for the Hobart Hurricanes.
Australia will fly to the United Kingdom later this month before a three-game T20 series starts on September 4, while the ODIs are scheduled to begin a week later.
Glenn Maxwell returns to the squad, replacing D'Arcy Short, while Marcus Stoinis was also recalled.
"It's a squad with great depth and a sprinkle of some exceptional young players," Australia national selector Trevor Hohns said.
"We are very pleased with the final group which was chosen with a view to continuing our recent form in T20 cricket and the longer term goal of returning to the top in the 50-over game.
"The top and middle order is extremely strong, there's plenty of accomplished all-rounders, fantastic fast bowling depth and spin options. The squad also has the cover required to meet all contingencies given replacements are not available for this tour if injury or illness were to occur.
"The NSP [National Selection Panel] believes this squad, along with those who missed out and others who perform well in domestic cricket, offers a solid platform for success in the white-ball game going forward."
Australia senior assistant coach Andrew McDonald will not travel with the squad due to a commitment to coach the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.
Australia: Aaron Finch, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
Australia head coach Langer has come in for criticism for his intense style of management, with reports the former opening batsman was recently involved in a heated exchange with a member of CA's digital team.
It has also been claimed that some Australia players have become increasingly disgruntled with Langer's approach.
However, Hockley endorsed the job Langer is doing ahead of the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, with a home Ashes series also on the horizon.
"Justin has done an incredible job in raising the culture, values and behaviours of the Australian men's team since he took on the role in 2018," Hockley said.
"His efforts have restored public faith in the national team. He is contracted as head coach through to the middle of next year, with the focus now on a successful T20 World Cup campaign followed by the home Ashes defence.
"The team has had an extremely disruptive and challenging 18 months during the pandemic.
"Despite those challenges the side has had great success in one-day, Test and T20 cricket, when all players were available.
"Justin, his coaching staff and the leaders within the team have an equally important part to play in ensuring a successful summer ahead."
Langer took over the team in the wake of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, which resulted in Steve Smith being stripped of the captaincy and, along with David Warner being banned from competing for 12 months.
Australia won the 2019 Ashes in England under Langer's tutelage, with Smith returning to play a starring role in the series.
White-ball captain Aaron Finch has expressed his frustration that stories have been leaked from the camp over Langer's methods.
The opening batsman told SEN Radio: "There's always tension when results don't go your way in all sports.
"Wins and losses are what count. I think anytime that doesn't happen, that all gets amplified. It's just one of those things.
"It's disappointing that things are coming to the front the way that they are, that's never ideal. It's just one of those things that keeps popping up, which is disappointing.
"The camp we had on the Gold Coast, to go through our culture and values and things like that, especially from a playing group, was really important, and one that I think players got a lot out of.
"But when things are being leaked out from inside, that's not a great look."
