Pak Vs Sl: Pakistan need a heavy win to reach T20 World Cup semis
pak vs sl in Pallekele is a last-chance fixture: Pakistan must restrict already-eliminated Sri Lanka to 147 or fewer to pip New Zealand into the semi-final spot at the ICC T20 World Cup Super 8s.
Scoreboard swing: Pakistan posted 212-8 after a record stand
Pakistan posted 212-8 in their innings at Pallekele Cricket Stadium, with Farhan making 100 and sharing a record-breaking 176 for the first wicket with Fakhar; Farhan also broke the record for most runs in a single edition of the men's T20 World Cup. That 212-8 total is the platform from which Pakistan must force the net-run-rate swing that could carry them into the last four.
Pak Vs Sl: The narrow mathematical path
To leapfrog New Zealand and set up a semi-final against South Africa, Pakistan must overturn a net-run-rate deficit: they can either beat Sri Lanka by roughly 65 runs or more, or chase the Sri Lankan total in fewer than 13 overs. Both equations are explicitly dependent on the outcome of the first innings at Pallekele on Saturday, February 28 at 7 p. m. local time (13: 30 GMT / 8: 30 a. m. ET).
Team moves and the toss
Pakistan made three changes to their XI, dropping Babar, Ayub and Mirza for Nafay, Naseem and Abrar. Sri Lanka, already eliminated from semifinal contention, won the toss and elected to bowl at Pallekele Cricket Stadium on Saturday, February 28.
Moments on the field and commentary
Early in Sri Lanka’s innings there was a reprieve for Kamindu Mendis when a thin edge went down, but later he was given out lbw. Alex Hartley, identified in the commentary as a former England bowler on Test Match Special, said it was "a brave shot to play first up to one of the world's most-talented spinners" and noted the thin edge; she added "I think this is out. Or has it touched his finger?" Test Match Special commentator Aatif Nawaz on Radio 5 Sports Extra remarked that a break in play may have brought that wicket and quipped that Ed Sheeran calms everyone down. Listeners can find Radio 5 Live Sport commentary at the top of the match page and use the 'Get Involved' button to have their say.
How the teams reached this point
Pakistan’s tournament run included a nervy three-wicket win against the Netherlands in a last-over finish, victories over the United States and Namibia, and a heavy loss to India in Colombo. In the Super Eights, Pakistan’s first match against New Zealand was washed out in Colombo before they lost to England — a game featuring Harry Brook’s sparkling century in Kandy on Tuesday — leaving Pakistan reliant on a big result here.
Sri Lanka’s tournament swung earlier: they stormed to victories against Ireland and Oman and then upset Australia to seal qualification from the group stage, only to suffer a shock defeat by Zimbabwe that cost them top spot. In the Super Eights Sri Lanka crashed to defeats by England and New Zealand, ending hopes of reaching the semifinals on home soil. England finished as group winners after beating both Pakistan and Sri Lanka and then claiming top spot with a win over New Zealand.
What players and officials have said and what’s next
Fast bowler Salman Mirza said Pakistan’s focus has always been on beating Sri Lanka, regardless of whether qualification hopes remained alive. Pakistan needed England to beat New Zealand handsomely in Colombo on Friday to improve their chances, but must now post a big victory of their own at Pallekele 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 clash in Kandy meaningless for the tournament.
The confirmed next milestone is the match itself at Pallekele Cricket Stadium on Saturday, February 28 at 7 p. m. local time (13: 30 GMT / 8: 30 a. m. ET), where Pakistan must either restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or fewer or produce the large-margin win outlined above to advance.
