Pak Vs Sl: pak vs sl at Pallekele — Pakistan need big win to reach semi-finals
pak vs sl at Pallekele is a last-chance Super Eights showdown in which Pakistan must produce a big result. Pakistan need a win by 64 runs or more to overtake New Zealand on net run-rate and reach the semi-finals.
Match details and scheduled times
The fixture is an ICC 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights Group 2 match at Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Pallekele in Sri Lanka on Saturday, February 28, at 7pm (13: 30 GMT). Radio commentary and buildup will be available from 10: 30 GMT, and there is a "Get Involved" button for fan reaction on the match page.
Pakistan team: selection changes
Pakistan named a changed XI, dropping Babar, Ayub and Mirza and bringing in Nafay, Naseem and Abrar. Fast bowler Salman Mirza said Pakistan’s focus has always been on beating Sri Lanka, regardless of whether their qualification hopes remained alive.
Batting highlights and records
Pakistan posted 212-8 in their innings. Sahibzada Farhan made 100 and put on a record-breaking 176 with Fakhar for the first wicket. Farhan also broke the record for most runs in a single edition of the men’s T20 World Cup, finishing this tournament on 383. Alex Hartley noted that Farhan got his second century of the tournament and suggested there were moments when Pakistan might have reached 240.
Pak Vs Sl: qualification equation
Pakistan must not only beat already-eliminated Sri Lanka but also overturn a net-run-rate deficit to climb above New Zealand and claim the final last-four spot. To leapfrog New Zealand and set up a semifinal against South Africa, Pakistan must either beat Sri Lanka by roughly 65 runs or more, or chase the Sri Lankan total in fewer than 13 overs. Both calculations will depend on the outcome of the first innings. New Zealand currently hold second spot in the four-team group, but their defeat by England on Friday opened the door for Pakistan.
Campaign context and Sri Lanka form
Pakistan’s campaign began with a nervy three-wicket win in a last-over finish against the Netherlands, followed by victories over the United States and Namibia and a heavy defeat to India in Colombo. Pakistan’s first Super Eight match against New Zealand was washed out in Colombo before they lost to England, the latter game featuring Harry Brook’s sparkling century in Kandy. Sri Lanka had stormed to wins over Ireland and Oman and then upset and eliminated Australia to seal group-stage qualification, only to lose a shock final group game to Zimbabwe and then crash to defeats by England and New Zealand in the Super Eights, ending their hopes of reaching the semifinals on home soil. England finished as group winners, having beaten Pakistan and Sri Lanka before claiming top spot with their win against New Zealand.
Quotes and expert reactions
Aatif Nawaz said: "They've got a genuine shot at defending this. But Sri Lanka are in play for everything. They've got good batters. " He added that it had been "nagging at me" that "Sahibzada Farhan taking a single to reach his hundred with 12 balls left has cost Pakistan a few more runs, " suggesting that turning down the single might have yielded more boundaries or helped farm the strike, while acknowledging Farhan could have been out next ball.
Alex Hartley called 212-8 "a good effort overall" but warned Pakistan might regret the late sequence of play. She added: "They did fall away. At the start of the day, if you'd offered them 212, Pakistan would have taken it. Brilliant at the top of the order. Farhan getting his second century of the tournament. At one stage it looked like they should've got 240. "
Pakistan needed England to beat New Zealand handsomely in Colombo on Friday to improve their path, but the onus is now on Pakistan to post a big victory against Sri Lanka to sneak into the final four on net run rate. A New Zealand win would have ended Pakistan’s hopes and rendered the Sri Lanka match in Kandy meaningless for tournament progression.
Sri Lanka, already eliminated, won the toss and elected to bowl.
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