T20 WC Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Updates: Pak crash out despite beating SL

Sat, 28 February 2026

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22:51

Pak crash out despite beating SL

Sri Lanka 207-6 (20 Ovs) vs Pak 212-8 | SCORECARD

Shaheen Afridi to bowl the final over' Shanaka tries to go over cover first ball -- gets four! Next ball -- SIX! And another SIX! Sri Lanka bring up 200 in style. The equation tumbles quickly. Another one -- three big hits in a row! Pallekele is in absolute frenzy.

Sri Lanka now need 6 runs off 2 balls. Shanaka shapes to go again' but leaves it. Legal delivery. Next ball -- dot! Brilliant from Shaheen under pressure.

Pakistan win by 5 runs! Shanaka finishes unbeaten on a breathtaking 76 off 31 balls, leading from the front, but it's not enough in the end.

No wild celebrations from Pakistan -- just relief.

22:42

Shanaka brings up his fifty

Sri Lanka 185-6 (19 Ovs) vs Pak 212-8 | SCORECARD

Shadab Khan to bowl the 19th' Starts with a wide. Another googly -- Wellalage nudges it fine for a single. Shanaka takes charge. Massive six! Clean strike into the stands. He follows it with two sharp runs -- brilliant running between the wickets. Another wide from Shadab. And BOOM! Shanaka launches another huge six. That brings up his fifty off just 24 balls. The crowd erupts -- Pallekele is alive! He mistimes the next but gets a single. Attempts a reverse sweep to finish the over -- swings and misses.

A big over. 18 runs from it. Sri Lanka 185/6 after 19 overs. They now need 28 from 6 balls.

22:38

SL knock Pak out; NZ into semis

Sri Lanka 167-6 (18 Ovs) vs Pak 212-8 | SCORECARD

Naseem Shah back into the attack' Shanaka welcomes him with a towering six -- Sri Lanka are going for the win now. Pakistan's shoulders seem to have dropped. Bouncer next, Shanaka sways away from it. Rathnayake mistimes one -- Zaman nearly pulls off a stunning catch. A single follows. Short ball again, Shanaka swings and misses. He nudges the next towards long-on for one.

11 runs off the over. Sri Lanka 161/5 after 17 overs. They need 52 from 18 balls.

Shaheen Afridi returns' Shanaka works it to long-on for a single -- he wanted two but settles for one. Pinpoint yorker! Rathnayake misses. Skied! Taken at long-on by Saim Ayub. No celebrations from the Pakistan players -- the crowd falls silent. Rathnayake departs for a fighting 58 off 37 balls.

Dunith Wellalage is the new batter and gets off the mark with a single. Shanaka responds with a boundary to keep Sri Lanka alive. Another yorker from Afridi dots him up to finish.

6 runs and a wicket from the over. Sri Lanka 167/6 after 18 overs. They now need 46 from 12 balls.

22:26

SL knock Pak out; NZ into semis

Sri Lanka 150-5 (16 Ovs) vs Pak 212-8 | SCORECARD

Usman Tariq continues' Shanaka launches a massive six and New Zealand will be celebrating that one! He follows it up with a couple of runs. In the air next ball' but it drops safely in front of Afridi. Shanaka then sweeps it to deep cover for two runs Sri Lanka move to 147. Just one more run needed to knock Pakistan out of the tournament. There it is -- a single taken. Pakistan are out of the T20 World Cup. New Zealand are through to the semifinals.

Two more runs come off the final deliveries of the over. 15 runs off it. Sri Lanka 150/5 after 16 overs.

22:22

Rathnayake brings up his fifty

Sri Lanka 135-5 (15 Ovs) vs Pak 212-8 | SCORECARD

Shadab Khan back into the attack' Shanaka and Rathnayake begin with a single each, keeping the board ticking. Rathnayake continues to target the big shots every over and there it is! A magnificent strike over midwicket for six. He moves to 47 off 31 balls. He swings hard at the next one but misses. And what a way to bring up his fifty! A cracking shot takes him to a well-made 50 off just 32 balls.

Sri Lanka are still in the hunt. After 15 overs: Sri Lanka 135/5. They now need 78 runs off 30 balls.

22:18

Sri Lanka fightback

Sri Lanka 120-5 (14 Ovs) vs Pak 212-8 | SCORECARD

Usman Tariq returns .. Rathnayake and Shanaka rotate strike comfortably, dealing mostly in singles. A quiet over. 5 runs from it. Sri Lanka 106/5 after 13 overs. They now need 107 from 42 balls.

Mohammad Nawaz continues' Rathnayake flicks to deep midwicket for a single. The batters keep nudging it around. Short ball and Shanaka has all the time in the world! He rocks back and sends it sailing for six. Finds a gap next ball for a single. Rathnayake finishes the over in style with a boundary. That brings up his 40 off 28 balls.

A big over for Sri Lanka. 14 runs off it. Sri Lanka 120/5 after 14 overs. They now need 93 from 36 balls. Meanwhile Pakistan has only 27 runs to play with off 36 balls.

22:10

Sri Lanka 5 down

Sri Lanka 101-5 (12 Ovs) vs Pak 212-8 | SCORECARD

Mohammad Nawaz into the attack' Rathnayake punches the first ball to cover -- no run. He nudges the next for a single. New batter Janith Liyanage gets going in style -- cracking a boundary to get off the mark. He then cuts one to deep point for a single. Rathnayake adds another run to keep things moving.

WICKET! Bowled! Nawaz strikes! He cleans up Liyanage, knocking back the stumps. Sri Lanka are five down now. Pakistan can sense an opening -- they now need five more wickets and still have a 46-run cushion in their qualification scenario.

A tidy over from Nawaz. 7 runs and a wicket from it. Sri Lanka 101/5 after 12 overs.

22:06

Abrar strikes again, SL 4 down

Sri Lanka 94-4 (11 Ovs) vs Pak 212-8 | SCORECARD

Usman Tariq continues... big appeal for caught behind first up, but the umpire isn't interested. The batters rotate strike with a couple of singles. Oh dear! It sneaks through the keeper's legs and races away to the boundary for four. That's sloppy. A single to finish the over. 10 runs off it. Sri Lanka 85/3 after 10 overs.

At the halfway mark, Pakistan have 62 runs to play with in their qualification equation.

Abrar Ahmed continues' Rathnayake flicks to midwicket for a single. Mendis nearly misses the next but manages to squeeze out a run. Boom! Rathnayake launches a massive six -- clean strike, right out of the middle. He follows it up with a single. Mendis pushes one back to the bowler. Mendis OUT -- Bowled! Abrar does it again! Beats him through the gate and crashes into the stumps. Mendis departs for 3 off 6 balls.

Whenever Sri Lanka try to build a partnership, Abrar steps in and breaks it. That's his third wicket tonight. 9 runs and a wicket from the over.

Sri Lanka 94/4 after 11 overs.

21:55

Abrar removes Asalanka, SL 3 down

Sri Lanka 75-3 (9 Ovs) vs Pak 212-8 | SCORECARD

Abrar Ahmed continues Abrar goes quicker through the air, drifting it into middle. Asalanka shuffles across and plays it straight to the fielder -- dropped! A big let-off. Rathnayake capitalises immediately, smashing a boundary. He follows it up with a single. There's a brief pause as the physio checks on a batter after a full-length dive back into the crease. Then the breakthrough! Asalanka OUT -- Bowled! He's early into the slog sweep, misses completely, and Abrar crashes into the off-stump. Pakistan desperately needed that wicket -- the stand was starting to threaten. The change of pace does the trick. Asalanka departs for 25 off 18 balls.

Kamindu Mendis walks in. Huge LBW shout first ball -- given! Mendis reviews instantly. UltraEdge shows a clear glove. The ball deflected off the glove before hitting the pad. Decision overturned -- Mendis survives.

A crucial over. 6 runs and a wicket from it. Sri Lanka 75/3 after 9 overs.

21:49

Asalanka keeps Sri Lanka alive

Sri Lanka 69-2 (8 Ovs) vs Pak 212-8 | SCORECARD

After drinks Abrar continues after the break. Rathnayake gets an inside edge onto the pad -- no run. One slides down leg, wide called. Rathnayake leans into the next and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Asalanka attempts a reverse sweep, doesn't time it well, but manages a single in front of backward point. The batters keep things ticking with a few more singles.

A steady over. 7 runs from it. Sri Lanka 56/2 after 7 overs.

Usman Tariq into the attack Usman Tariq is introduced. Nearly traps Asalanka on the pads first up -- close shout, but no run. Next ball disappears -- Asalanka slams it for four. And then goes even bigger! A towering six straight down the ground, stepping forward and lofting it cleanly over the ropes. Sri Lanka mixing power with smart strike rotation, adding a few singles to close the over. 13 runs from it. Sri Lanka 69/2 after 8 overs.

Sri Lanka need 144 off 72 balls. But for Pakistan's semifinal hopes, the bigger picture matters -- they must concede no more than 77 runs in the last 12 overs to stay alive.

21:37

SL lose 2 quick wkts

Sri Lanka 49-2 (6 Ovs) vs Pak 212-8 | SCORECARD

Spin Introduced Spin for the first time -- Abrar Ahmed is brought into the attack. What a breakthrough! Kamil Mishara looks to go big, but Abrar deceives him in flight. The ball sneaks past the bat and crashes into the stumps. Bowled!

Mishara departs for a quickfire 26 off 15 balls. A crucial strike just when Sri Lanka were building momentum.

Abrar Ahmed is here. Pavan Rathnayake is the new batter. He starts cautiously, defending the first two deliveries. One drifts down the leg side -- wide called. The batters rotate strike with a couple of singles to close the over. A tidy one from Abrar -- 4 runs and a wicket. Sri Lanka 37/2 after 5 overs.

Naseem Shah continues Asalanka flicks the first ball to mid-on for a single. Rathnayake then makes an instant impact -- smashing a one-bounce boundary. A misfield allows him to sneak a single next ball. Asalanka looks a bit rushed against a sharp yorker, jamming his bat down just in time -- no run. But he finishes the over in style! A glorious six, clean strike over the ropes.

A big over to end the powerplay. 12 runs from it. Sri Lanka 49/2 after 6 overs.

21:26

Nissanka departs for 3

Sri Lanka 33-1 (4 Ovs) vs Pak 212-8 | SCORECARD

Pakistan now have 137 runs to defend off 18 overs.

Shaheen Afridi continues, Mishara is a touch slow into position first up -- no run. But he responds emphatically! A towering six over the leg side. He follows it with a crisp boundary. The next is driven straight to cover, but Sri Lanka arent done yet -- another boundary!

A momentum-shifting over for the hosts. 15 runs from it. Sri Lanka 25/1 after 3 overs.

Naseem Shah continues, Mishara guides one late to deep backward point for a single. A wide follows. Asalanka swings and works it past backward square leg for one.

Mishara is looking dangerous -- he slams another boundary. Tries to repeat the dose next ball but finds the fielder. A swing and a miss adds tension before a single closes the over.

8 runs from it. Sri Lanka 33/1 after 4 overs.

21:17

Nissanka departs for 3

Sri Lanka 10-1 (2 Ovs) vs Pak 212-8 | SCORECARD

Sri Lanka's chase begins.

Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara walk out under the Pallekele lights. Nissanka takes strike. Shaheen Afridi with the new ball. Sri Lanka need 213.

Pakistan must restrict them to 147 or fewer to seal a semifinal spot.

Shaheen starts tight. Nissanka defends the first two deliveries solidly. A swing and a miss follows. He finally gets off the mark with a single nudged to the leg side. Mishara is watchful, defending carefully before finishing the over with a boundary. 5 runs from the first over.

Sri Lanka 5/0. Pakistan still have 122 runs in hand to defend over the next 19 overs.

Naseem Shah from the other end Nissanka drives crisply to mid-off -- no run. A wide follows. Then chaos in the deep! Nissanka launches one high towards cow corner. Three fielders converge as it drops just short of the boundary rope. They scramble back for two runs. But the pressure tells. Nissanka goes for another big shot -- this time he doesn't clear it. Caught by Mohammad Nawaz. A soft dismissal.

Nissanka departs for 3 off 7 balls. Early breakthrough for Pakistan.

Charith Asalanka walks in at No.3.

He begins cautiously, defending the first ball he faces. Gets off the mark soon after with a single to rotate strike. Mishara taps one gently to backward point -- no run.

A quiet finish to the over. 5 runs from it.

Sri Lanka 10/1 after 2 overs.

20:53

Farhan's ton lifts Pak to 212/8

Pakistan 212-8 (20 ovs) vs Sri Lanka | SCORECARD

Dilshan Madushanka to finish Madushanka starts with a huge wicket! Sahibzada Farhan OUT! He holes out and Janith Liyanage settles under it to take an excellent catch. A brilliant knock comes to an end.

Shaheen Afridi is the new batter. He gets a high full toss first up and smashes it for a boundary. Afridi signals for a no-ball check -- umpires review it' but it's deemed a fair delivery. Next ball -- Afridi LBW! A pinpoint yorker on middle and leg. Shaheen clears his front leg to slog but misses completely. He initially walks off, then opts for the review. Three reds on ball-tracking. He was gone all along.

Pakistan are suddenly losing wickets in clusters.

Naseem Shah walks in and gets off the mark with a single. Usman Khan then pushes one to deep cover -- misfield! They look to steal an extra run, but confusion strikes. Naseem is sent back. There's a run-out appeal. Third umpire checks whether Usman had crossed him. Replays show Naseem failed to ground his bat, while Usman did -- which saves Usman. Naseem is run out for 1 off 1.

Final ball -- Usman on strike. He swings hard and squeezes out two runs to close the innings.

A chaotic final over with 9 runs and 3 wickets. Pakistan finish on 212/8 after 20 overs.

Now the equation is clear -- Pakistan must bowl Sri Lanka out for 147 or less to qualify for the semifinals.

20:42

Farhan smashes second ton

Pakistan 203-5 (19 ovs) vs Sri Lanka | SCORECARD

A loud shout for LBW! Sri Lanka review. It's full and angling in from round the wicket, Shadab shuffles across looking to flick but misses. After a check, it's not out -- they sneak through for two runs. Shadab responds in style -- a cracking boundary, perfectly timed. He's clearly been sent in for a quick cameo. Backs it up with a single. Farhan moves across to the next one but it's too wide. The following delivery disappears -- smashed to the fence! Farhan races to 98 off just 57 balls.

He nudges the next for a single to move to 99. Shadab looks for a quick single' and disaster! Shadab Khan Run Out! One run completed but a sharp piece of work sees him short. A lapse in concentration perhaps. Run out (Dilshan Madushanka/Kamil Mishara). Shadab departs for 7 off 5 balls.

A high-action over -- 14 runs from it. Pakistan 198/3 after 18 overs.

Dasun Shanaka returns A single to long-off and that's the moment! Sahibzada Farhan brings up a magnificent century off just 59 balls -- his second hundred of this T20 World Cup. A superb knock under pressure.

New batter Mohammad Nawaz on strike' and he's gone! Tries to go hard but skies it to cover. Caught by Maheesh Theekshana.

Pakistan suddenly losing a bit of steam at a crucial stage.

Salman Agha, the right-hander, walks in. He swings hard and misses.

Next ball -- he goes again and this time its taken! Caught by Maheesh Theekshana. That was a sharp, low catch under pressure.

Agha departs for a duck.

Usman Khan is the new batter and he gets off the mark in style -- cracking a boundary. Oh no nearly a run out on the next ball! A direct hit wouldve had him, but he survives.

A tense over -- 5 runs and 2 wickets from it.

Pakistan 203/5 after 19 overs.

20:27

Pak lose 2 quick wickets

Pakistan 184-2 (17 ovs) vs Sri Lanka | SCORECARD

Dilshan Madushanka returns: Madushanka begins with a sharp yorker. Nafay manages to squeeze it out, cutting towards cover for a single. Farhan follows with a single to deep cover. A slot ball next up -- Nafay looks to go big but hits it straight to long-on. Charith Asalanka makes no mistake under the skier. Nafay departs for 2 off 3 balls. Three singles and a wicket from the last four deliveries -- a tidy comeback over for Sri Lanka.

Shadab Khan walks in as the new batter.

Shadab Khan gets off the mark with a quick single.

Farhan then mistimes one straight to cover -- no run. But he finishes the over in style, cracking a boundary to move to 94.

7 runs from the over.

20:21

Fakhar Zaman out for 42-ball 84

Fakhar Zaman

Pakistan 176-1 (16 ovs) vs Sri Lanka | SCORECARD

Shanaka continues as Farhan continues to send the ball flying over the ropes. He lofts the slower ball pitched up straight down the ground for a six over long-on.

Zaman walks across to pull the slower bouncer over short fine leg for a boundary to race into the 80s.

Sri Lanka's fielding also has been below par. Wellalage puts down an easy catch at long-on after Zaman had mistimed the lofted shot off Shanaka.

Farhan and Zaman's 163-run stand is the highest opening partnership for Pakistan in T20 World Cups.

Another catch put down on the edge of the boundary. Farhan had mistimed the full toss off Chameera on the off-side and Liyanage at deep extra cover messes up the easy chance as he steps on the boundary cushions after taking the catch to concede a six.

Chameera goes full and wide as Farhan hammers it through the covers for a four and drives the third ball in the same region for two runs.

Chameera goes round the wicket as Farhan drills the overpitched delivery to deep extra cover for one.

Finally relief for Pakistan as the dangerous Zaman is bowled off an inside edge as he walks across and looks to heave it over the leg side.

Zaman walks back after a whirlwind knock of 84 from 42 balls, with four sixes and nine fours.

He has laid the platform for a huge total for Pakistan, putting on 176 runs for the opening wicket from just 15.5 overs.

20:10

Pakistan race past 150

Sahibzada Farhan

Pakistan 150-0 (14 ovs) vs Sri Lanka | SCORECARD

Zaman easily despatches the full toss from Theekshana straight down the ground for a six over long-off. He is then beaten trying to play the sweep shot before taking one to long-on.

Singles off the last two balls as Theekshana gives away 11 in his fourth over.

Pacer Jayant Liyanage comes into the attack. Zaman walks across to scoop the first ball over fine leg for a six,

He then walks across to swing the slower short ball through square leg for a four followed by a single.

Sri Lanka's bowling coach Lasith Malinga is looking frustrated as he wanders near the boundary line.

14 runs from the 14th over as Pakistan race to 150 for no loss, with Farhan on 68 from 46 balls and Zaman on 79 from 38 balls at a strike rate of more than 200.

20:01

Pakistan on fire! Farhan, Zaman blast 50s

Pakistan 125-0 (12 ovs) vs Sri Lanka | SCORECARD

Off-spinner Theekshana back into the attack. He bowls a tidy over under the circumstances, keeping the batters down to ones and twos, to concede just five runs from the 11th over.

Farhan continues his attacking approach. He smashes the first ball of 12th over, clearing the long-on fence for a six and then takes one to long-off.

Zaman also races to his fifty from 26 balls as he heaves Wellalage over the leg side for a four.

The next ball is clubbed over midwicket for a six before Zaman takes one off the last ball to retain strike.

Both batters have stroked quickfire fifties as Pakistan race to 125 for no loss in 13 overs.

19:57

Farhan brings up his fifty

Pakistan 102-0 (10 ovs) vs Sri Lanka | SCORECARD

Dasun Shanaka back into the attack as Farhan hits the first ball in the gap through the covers for two runs to race to his fifty from 32 balls.

Farhan gets the next wide of long-off for two runs but a poor throw gets him another extra run.

Farhan registers his fourth fifty of the T20 World Cup -- equalling the record held by Virat Kohli (twice), Matthew Hayden and Babar Azam for the most half-centuries by a batter in a World Cup.

Zaman drives a full wide delivery past the fielder at point for a four and keeps strike with one from the last ball.

Spinner Wellalage starts his new over with two wides in a row to Zaman, who then takes one through the off-side.

Zaman lofts the spinner inside out over the covers for a four and then clips the next through the gap at midwicket for two runs to take Pakistan past the 100-run mark, in the 10th over.

Pakistan well-placed for a huge total as they race to 102 for no loss in 10 overs.

Farhan has smashed 55 from 36 balls, while Zaman has stroked 44 from 24 balls.

19:45

Farhan brings up his fifty

Pakistan 90-0 (9 ovs) vs Sri Lanka | SCORECARD

Players take a breather with Pakistan firmly in control.

Maheesh Theekshana: Farhan nudges a short-of-length delivery down the ground for a single. Fakhar Zaman is looking to up the ante -- he smashes a boundary with authority. A flick straight to the fielder brings no run, but he rotates strike with a single next ball. Farhan drives to cover but finds the fielder. The over ends with a single. 7 runs from it. Pakistan 71/0 after 7 overs.

Dunith Wellalage: Farhan opens with a firm drive to long-off for one. Zaman lets one go outside off, then taps another towards point for no run. An easy single to long-off follows. Farhan then drills a boundary through the off-side. A quick single closes the over.

Another steady 7 runs. Pakistan 78/0 after 8 overs.

Dasun Shanaka continues: Farhan collects two runs to bring up a well-crafted half-century. He follows it with another brace. A misfield gifts Pakistan three more. Zaman works one for a single, and another misfield allows an extra run. Farhan keeps the board ticking with a single before Zaman finishes the over in style -- hammering a boundary.

Pakistan's batters are in complete command, dominating the middle overs with precision and power.

19:32

Pak 64-0 at the end of Powerplay

Pakistan 64-0 (6 ovs) vs Sri Lanka | SCORECARD

Dasun Shanaka into the attack: Sahibzada Farhan wastes no time -- he slams a boundary and, with that stroke, goes past Virat Kohli for the most runs in a single edition of a T20 World Cup. A landmark moment in the powerplay. Shanaka responds with a sharp bouncer, and Farhan ducks under it. The next delivery strikes the pads -- leg-bye signalled.

Fakhar Zaman now on strike. He swings and misses; the keeper gathers cleanly. But Zaman makes amends in style, drilling the next ball fiercely past the infield for four. There was a half-chance as it flew toward Theekshana, but it burst through his hands. Zaman finishes the over emphatically with another boundary.

13 runs from it. End of the powerplay -- Pakistan 64/0.

19:27

50 comes up for Pak in 5 overs

Pakistan 51-0 (5 ovs) vs Sri Lanka | SCORECARD

Maheesh Theekshana is introduced into the attack, with no slips in place. Fakhar Zaman flicks the first ball to long-on for a single. Farhan defends the next straight back to the bowler. A short and wide delivery follows -- Farhan pounces and crashes it through the off-side for four. He rotates strike with a single. Zaman then goes big, lofting one high and handsome over the ropes for a massive six. A dot ball wraps up the over. 12 runs from it. Pakistan are 38/0 after 4 overs.

Dushmantha Chameera returns, but Farhan welcomes him with a towering six. Pakistan clearly looking to maximise the powerplay. He follows it up with a boundary towards long-off -- sloppy work in the deep allows it to race away. A flick to deep fine leg brings a single. A clever slower ball is nudged for one, as Zaman helps bring up Pakistan's 50. Farhan then drives straight to cover for no run before pushing one down the ground for a single to end the over.

Another productive over -- 13 runs from it. Pakistan: 51/0 after 5 overs.

19:17

Pak off to a steady start

Pakistan 26-0 (3 ovs) vs Sri Lanka | SCORECARD

Dushmantha Chameera shares the attack. Sahibzada Farhan flicks the first ball to the leg side for a couple. A gentle push to long-on brings up a single. Fakhar Zaman stays deep in his crease and steers one to deep cover for another run. Farhan swings and misses the next, but responds in style -- timing it sweetly through the off-side for four. A single to end the over makes it nine from it. 16/0 after 2 overs.

Dilshan Madushanka continues, and Farhan greets him with a boundary. He then makes room and lofts one straight back over the bowler's head for another four. A dot follows as he drives it back to the bowler. Farhan isn't done yet '" he launches a massive six over the leg side! He flicks the next towards fine leg but finds the fielder. Two more deliveries are fielded sharply in the ring to close the over.

A productive one -- 10 runs from it. Pakistan are 26/0 after 3 overs.

19:07

SL opt to bowl; Pakistan drop Babar

Pakistan 7-0 (1 ov) vs Sri Lanka | SCORECARD

Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman are the two openers for Pakistan, while left-armer Dilshan Madushanka opens the bowling for Sri Lanka.

Farhan pushes the first ball pitched up on the leg side and pushes the next into the covers.

He drives the third ball straight back past the bowler for a single to get Pakistan off the mark.

Zaman clips the fourth ball for two runs to deep midwicket and swings the next over the leg side for a four.

He mistimes the full toss last ball to the fielder in the covers as seven runs come from the first over.

18:51

Pakistan drop veteran Babar Azam

Pakistan captain Salman Agha admits that even he wanted to bowl first, so they would have a clear target to chase in the must-win match.

Sri Lanka won't make their task any easier as they are keen to finish with a victory after getting a lot of flak following their lacklustre showing in the 61-run defeat in the previous match against New Zealand, which knocked them out of the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan have brought in speedster Naseem Shah along with leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, while Babar Azam was also dropped as they bring in Khawaja Nafay to show some aggression with the bat.

Check out the playing XIs of the two teams:

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (w/k), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (Captain), Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan (w/k), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq.

18:51

Pakistan drop Babar Azam

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka has won the toss and elected to bowl against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup Super 8s match in Pallekele.

Pakistan, who face a must-win game, have made three changes. They have made a big decision to leave out the experienced Babar Azam, who is replaced by Khawaja Nafay.

Saim Ayub and Salman Mirza have also been left out with Abar Ahmed and Naseem Shah back in the playing XI.

Sri Lanka also have made a couple of changes as Kamil Mishara replaces the injured Kusal Mendis as the wicketkeeper, while Janith Liyanage comes in for Dushan Hemantha.

18:34

Pakistan need big win to enter SF

Welcome to the coverage of the ICC T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Pallekele, on Saturday.

Pakistan will need a commanding win over already-eliminated Sri Lanka to advance to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.

England's superb come-from-behind four-wicket victory against New Zealand handed Pakistan a much-needed lifeline.

Pakistan face a tough equation as far as their hopes of progress is concerned.

They will have to win by a margin of 64 runs or more if they post a total of around 160 if batting first.

If they are bowling first, Pakistan will need to chase down a target of 160-plus in 13.1 overs or less.

Pakistan, placed third in the table, are locked in a battle with New Zealand for the second and final berth, but the Kiwis are in a far stronger position than Agha's side on the net run rate.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will be hoping to finish off on a high in front of their home fans after their disappointing losses against New Zealand and England in the Super 8s.

T20 WC Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Updates: Pak crash out despite beating SL

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