Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: T20 World Cup Super Eights Teams and Net Run Rate

The upcoming clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is crucial for the ICC 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights. The match is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, at 7 PM local time at Pallekele Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka. With Pakistan needing a significant win to advance to the semifinals, the stage is set for a high-stakes encounter.

Match Significance

Pakistan faces a do-or-die scenario against Sri Lanka, who are already eliminated from the tournament. To secure a place in the semifinals, Pakistan must not only win but also overcome a net run rate deficit against New Zealand, currently occupying the second spot in their group.

Pakistan’s Journey in the T20 World Cup

• Started with a nail-biting three-wicket victory over the Netherlands.
• Defeated the United States and Namibia after the narrow win.
• Suffered a heavy loss to arch-rivals India.
• Their opening Super Eight match against New Zealand was washed out.
• Lost to England despite Harry Brook’s outstanding century.

Sri Lanka’s World Cup Performance

• Achieved victories over Ireland and Oman in the group stage.
• Shocked Australia, eliminating them from contention.
• Lost their final group match to Zimbabwe, missing out on top spot.
• Crashed in their Super Eights matches against England and New Zealand.

Path to Semifinals for Pakistan

To advance to the semifinals, Pakistan must either beat Sri Lanka by a margin of approximately 65 runs or chase down their target within 13 overs. Pakistan’s hopes hinge not only on their performance but also on the outcome of New Zealand’s matches.

Key Player Insights

Fast bowler Salman Mirza emphasized their sole focus on defeating Sri Lanka to keep their semifinal hopes alive. He expressed disappointment over the recent loss to England, which made the upcoming game against Sri Lanka critical for their tournament aspirations.

Head-to-Head Statistics

In terms of historical performance, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have met 31 times in T20 internationals, with Pakistan emerging victorious 17 times and Sri Lanka winning 12 times. Both teams have secured two wins against each other in T20 World Cup encounters.

Expected Lineups

As the anticipation builds for this critical match, both teams will be looking to perform at their best. Pakistan must seize this opportunity to advance, while Sri Lanka hopes to conclude their campaign with a strong showing on home soil.