Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: T20 World Cup Super Eights – teams, net run-rate | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup News

Who: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
What: ICC 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights
Where: Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Pallekele in Sri Lanka
When: Saturday, February 28, at 7pm (13:30 GMT)
How to observe: We’ll have all of the buildup on Al Jazeera Sport from 10:30 GMT prematurely of our textual content commentary stream.

Click here to observe our reside protection.

Pakistan faces a make-or-break finale to the Super Eights stage on the 2026 T20 World Cup after they should overcome already-eliminated Sri Lanka by a major margin if they’re to succeed in the semifinals.

New Zealand at present maintain second spot within the four-team group, however their defeat by England On Friday you have got opened the door to Pakistan to climb into second spot.

Al Jazeera Sport takes a more in-depth take a look at the match and what Pakistan should do if they’re to progress to the knockout stage.

How have Pakistan fared on the T20 World Cup?

Pakistan’s marketing campaign began on a nervy be aware with a three-wicket win in an exhilarating last-over end towards the Netherlands earlier than overcoming the United States and Namibia.

In between they misplaced closely to India in a extremely anticipated conflict in Colombo.

Pakistan’s first Super Eight match towards New Zealand was washed out in Colombo earlier than them lost to englandand Harry Brook’s glowing century in Kandy on Tuesday.

How have Sri Lanka fared on the T20 World Cup?

Sri Lanka stormed to victories towards Ireland and Oman earlier than upsetting, and eliminating, Australia to sign their qualification from the group stage.

TO shock defeat defeat adopted of their remaining group sport by the hands of Zimbabwe, which price them prime spot.

Their begin to the Super Eights stage was a stark distinction to the group, nevertheless, as they crashed to defeats by England and New Zealand ending their hopes of reaching the semi-finals on residence soil.

How can Pakistan qualify for the T20 World Cup semi-finals?

England have completed as group winners, having overwhelmed Pakistan and Sri Lanka to safe qualification for the semi-finals earlier than claiming prime spot with their win towards New Zealand.

Pakistan should not solely beat Sri Lanka, however overturn a net-run price deficit, if they’re to climb above the Kiwis to assert the ultimate last-four spot.

To leapfrog New Zealand, and arrange a semi-final towards South Africa, Pakistan should both beat the Sri Lankans by roughly 65 runs or extra, or chase their goal down in fewer than 13 overs.

Both equations will probably be depending on the result of the primary innings of the sport.

Pakistan centered on Sri Lanka no matter semifinal hopes at T20 World Cup

Fast bowler Salman Mirza mentioned Pakistan’s focus has at all times been on beating Sri Lanka, no matter whether or not their qualification hopes remained alive on the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan wanted England to beat New Zealand handsomely in Colombo on Friday, however should now submit a giant victory of their very own towards Sri Lanka to sneak into the ultimate 4 on net run price.

A New Zealand win would have ended Pakistan’s hopes, rendering the Sri Lanka conflict in Kandy meaningless by way of the match.

“It’s a critical situation as reaching the semifinal [was] “not in our control,” Mirza advised reporters

“But if we reach the semifinal, we have the capability to do better.

“We needed to win the match against England, and that defeat has given us this position.”

Mirza rues Pakistan’s missed probability towards England

After Brook was dismissed close to the top of England’s run chase, Pakistan hit again with two wickets within the penultimate over.

Mirza bowled the ultimate over with three runs to defend and two wickets to take for victory, however Jofra Archer hit the primary ball for 4.

“I had the opportunity to become a hero in the final over, but I couldn’t record that one,” mentioned Mirza.

“Such opportunities do not come your way every day. Had I taken two wickets, we would have won that match, but it was not to be.”

What occurred the final time Pakistan performed Sri Lanka?

The final time the nations have been paired in T20 International was throughout a three-game bilateral sequence in January.

Sri Lanka claimed a rain-affected remaining sport by 14 runs to tie the sequence 1-1.

Having misplaced the toss, the Sri Lankans posted 160-6 off the decreased 12-overs per aspect. Pakistan regarded good when reaching 101 after 4 overs, however have been ultimately eight down when falling wanting their goal.

Head-to-head

This would be the thirty first assembly between the perimeters, with Pakistan successful 17 of the encounters and Sri Lanka rising victorious on 12 events, together with one no end result.

The sides have confronted one another 4 instances at T20 World Cups, with each side claiming two wins.

Predicted Pakistan workforce

Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq

Predicted Sri Lanka workforce

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara (wk), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera

Pakistan and Sri Lanka kind guides

• Pakistan’s final 5 matches (most up-to-date end result final):
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• Sri Lanka’s final 5 matches (most up-to-date end result final):
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