Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 delivered one of the most thrilling finishes in T20 World Cup history. In a Super 8 encounter at the iconic Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Pakistan edged out Sri Lanka by just 5 runs , scoring 212/8 and restricting the hosts to 207/6 in a breathless 20-over contest.
This Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 clash was not just a cricket match , it was Pakistan’s entire World Cup campaign compressed into a single 40-over battle. With Babar Azam dropped, Sahibzada Farhan scoring a century and Abrar Ahmed tearing through Sri Lanka’s middle order, the Men in Green kept their semifinal hopes gloriously alive. Here is everything you need to know.
Match Preview : Venue, Date, Format & Context
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 was played as Match 50 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 , the 50th fixture of the tournament and the final Super Eights Group 2 game between these two historic rivals.
| Detail | Info |
| Match | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka — Match 50, Super Eights Group 2 |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Format | T20 International |
| Date | Saturday, February 28, 2026 |
| Venue | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Capacity | 35,000 |
| Toss | Sri Lanka won , elected to bowl |
| Start Time | 7:00 PM local (1:30 PM GMT) |
| Result | Pakistan won by 5 runs |
Why This Match Mattered So Much
Going into this Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 Super 8 clash, Pakistan were in desperate need of not just a win , but a big win. Their campaign had been rocky: a defeat to England and a washout against New Zealand left them on just one point with a net run rate of -0.461. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, were already eliminated from the semifinals after back-to-back heavy losses to England (by 51 runs) and New Zealand (by 61 runs). For Pakistan, this was survival cricket. For Sri Lanka, it was a matter of pride and spoiling their opponents’ party in front of a home crowd.
Team Squads & Playing XI
🇵🇰 Pakistan Playing XI
One of the biggest talking points ahead of Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 was the shock decision to drop former captain Babar Azam. After a disappointing tournament , 91 runs in 6 matches at a strike rate of just 112.34 , the management chose intent over experience, replacing him with the explosive young opener Khawaja Muhammad Nafay.
| # | Player | Role |
| 1 | Sahibzada Farhan | Opener / Batter |
| 2 | Fakhar Zaman | Opener / Batter |
| 3 | Khawaja Muhammad Nafay | Batter (replaced Babar Azam) |
| 4 | Shadab Khan | All-rounder |
| 5 | Salman Ali Agha (c) | All-rounder / Captain |
| 6 | Agha Salman | All-rounder |
| 7 | Mohammad Nawaz | Spin All-rounder |
| 8 | Usman Ahmed Khan (wk) | Wicketkeeper |
| 9 | Shaheen Shah Afridi | Pace Bowler |
| 10 | Naseem Shah | Pace Bowler |
| 11 | Abrar Ahmed | Spin Bowler |
| 12 | Usman Tariq | Pace Bowler |
Notable: Babar Azam was dropped for Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 , the first time in years that Pakistan played a major T20 World Cup match without their most capped batter.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Playing XI
Sri Lanka also made changes for this Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 encounter. With Kusal Mendis ruled out due to hamstring stiffness, Kamil Mishara stepped in as wicketkeeper-opener. Janith Liyanage also replaced Dushan Hemantha as a tactical batting option.
| # | Player | Role |
| 1 | Pathum Nissanka | Opener / Batter |
| 2 | Kamil Mishara (wk) | Wicketkeeper-Batter (replaced Kusal Mendis) |
| 3 | Charith Asalanka | Batter |
| 4 | Pavan Rathnayake | Batter |
| 5 | Kamindu Mendis | Batter |
| 6 | Janith Liyanage | Batter |
| 7 | Dasun Shanaka (c) | All-rounder / Captain |
| 8 | Dunith Wellalage | Spin All-rounder |
| 9 | Dushmantha Chameera | Pace Bowler |
| 10 | Maheesh Theekshana | Spin Bowler |
| 11 | Dilshan Madushanka | Pace Bowler |
Pitch Report & Weather : Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
Pitch Report
The Pallekele pitch has historically been a batting paradise, especially under lights when dew becomes a significant factor. The surface offers true bounce in the first innings but becomes easier to bat on as the game progresses. Spinners get some assistance from the rough early on, but pacers tend to be more effective in the powerplay. Average first innings score at this venue in recent T20Is: around 175-185. Pakistan’s decision, forced by Sri Lanka winning the toss and asking them to bat to face the new ball in the first innings, actually worked in their favour.
Pitch Conditions Summary:
- Boundary position: Normal
- Grass cover: Normal
- Pitch moisture: Normal
- Outfield: Normal / Fast
Weather Report
As per AccuWeather, the evening conditions at Pallekele were cool with temperatures around 18°C and humidity at 74%. Dew was expected to be a factor in the second innings a key reason why Sri Lanka chose to bowl first after winning the toss, hoping to chase under favorable conditions. The sky was clear and there was no rain interruption during the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 Super 8 match.
Form Guide : Last 5 Matches
Pakistan : Last 5 T20I Results
| # | Match | Result | Margin |
| 1 | PAK vs SL (T20 WC 2026) | Won | by 5 runs |
| 2 | PAK vs ENG (T20 WC 2026) | Lost | by 2 wickets |
| 3 | PAK vs NZ (T20 WC 2026) | No Result | — |
| 4 | PAK vs NAM (T20 WC 2026) | Won | — |
| 5 | PAK vs USA (T20 WC 2026) | Won | — |
Pakistan came into Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 needing a massive turnaround after their defeat to England. The team had been inconsistent throughout the tournament, heavily reliant on individual brilliance rather than collective performance.
Sri Lanka : Last 5 T20I Results
| # | Match | Result | Margin |
| 1 | SL vs PAK (T20 WC 2026) | Lost | by 5 runs |
| 2 | SL vs NZ (T20 WC 2026) | Lost | by 61 runs |
| 3 | SL vs ENG (T20 WC 2026) | Lost | by 51 runs |
| 4 | SL vs AUS (T20 WC 2026) | Lost | — |
| 5 | SL vs IRE (T20 WC 2026) | Won | — |
Sri Lanka entered Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 having lost four consecutive T20 World Cup matches, already eliminated with a net run rate of -2.800.
Key Battles
1. Sahibzada Farhan vs Sri Lanka Pace Attack The standout battle of the match. Farhan took on Sri Lanka’s pacers Madushanka and Chameera from ball one. He was particularly severe on anything short or full, scoring at 166.67 and hitting 9 fours and 5 sixes. Farhan won this battle comprehensively.
2. Abrar Ahmed vs Sri Lanka Middle Order This was the decisive contest of the second innings. When Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka and Kamil Mishara were building a dangerous partnership, Abrar Ahmed introduced his mystery spin and broke the game open. He took 3 crucial wickets Mishara, Asalanka, and Kamindu Mendis for just 23 runs in 4 overs, bowling with an economy rate of 5.75.
3. Fakhar Zaman vs Dushmantha Chameera Fakhar completely dominated Chameera during his 84-run blitz. Despite Chameera’s pace, Fakhar used his height and reach to clear the boundary repeatedly 9 fours and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 200.
4. Dasun Shanaka vs Pakistan Death Bowlers In what was ultimately a losing cause, Shanaka made Pakistan sweat. His 76 off 31 balls with 4 fours and 8 sixes reduced the target from a near-impossible to a heart-stopping 5-run margin. His assault on Shadab Khan in particular (33 runs from 2 overs) was brutal.
5. Shaheen Afridi vs Sri Lanka Top Order Pakistan needed Shaheen to strike early in the chase but he was expensive going for 48 runs in 4 overs. He did take 1 wicket (Pavan Rathnayake) but leaked too many runs in the death overs.
Prediction & Result : Who Won Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026?
Before the match, most analysts gave Pakistan a 60-40 edge, primarily because of their stronger batting firepower and Abrar Ahmed’s ability to exploit Sri Lankan middle-order weaknesses. However, the concern was whether Pakistan could score enough and score fast enough to improve their net run rate for the semi-final race.
Pre-match Prediction: Pakistan to win by 25-30 runs Actual Result: Pakistan won by just 5 runs far closer than predicted
The narrow margin meant Pakistan’s improved NRR was not enough. They needed to win by 64-65 runs to guarantee a semifinal spot. Despite the win in Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026, Pakistan’s fate ultimately hinged on other results.
Where to Watch Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Live : TV Channels & Streaming
| Region | TV Channel | Live Streaming |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | PTV Sports, Geo Super | Tapmad TV, mjunoon.tv |
| 🇮🇳 India | Star Sports Network | JioHotstar App |
| 🇬🇧 UK | Sky Sports Cricket | Sky Go, Now TV |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Fox Sports | Kayo Sports |
| Middle East | OSN Sports Cricket | OSN+ App |
| Global | — | ICC.tv (official) |
Important Note: Due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict and airspace closures across the Middle East, the ICC has confirmed it is working on alternative flight plans for players and officials departing from the T20 World Cup. Check your local broadcaster’s app for any streaming disruptions.
Live Score Updates Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026
This section reflects real-time match data from February 28, 2026
1st Innings : Pakistan: 212/8 (20 overs)
- Sahibzada Farhan: 100 off 60 (9×4, 5×6 — SR: 166.67)
- Fakhar Zaman: 84 off 42 (9×4, 4×6 — SR: 200.00)
- Opening partnership: 176 runs off 95 balls
- Best SL bowler: Dilshan Madushanka 3/33
2nd Innings : Sri Lanka: 207/6 (20 overs)
- Dasun Shanaka: 76 off 31 (4×4, 8×6 — SR: 245.16)
- Pavan Rathnayake: 58 off 37 (4×4, 3×6 — SR: 156.76)
- Best PAK bowler: Abrar Ahmed 3/23 (4 overs, ER: 5.75)
- Sri Lanka needed 6 off last over — fell 5 short
Final Result: Pakistan won by 5 runs
Post-Match Analysis
Pakistan : Brilliant but Not Brilliant Enough?
This Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 result was a win , but it came with a bittersweet edge. Pakistan needed to win by 64-65 runs to overtake New Zealand in the Super 8 standings and secure a semifinal spot. Their 5-run win, while thrilling, fell far short of the required margin.
The decision to drop Babar Azam was vindicated tactically , Khawaja Nafay (2 off 3 balls) did not contribute much, but the change signaled the intent-first approach that enabled the explosive Farhan-Fakhar opening partnership to flourish. Sahibzada Farhan’s breakthrough century will be talked about for years and Abrar Ahmed’s 3/23 showed again why he remains Pakistan’s most dangerous T20 bowler on turning surfaces.
However, the death bowling , particularly Shaheen (4-0-48-1) and Shadab (2-0-33-0) was far too expensive and nearly threw away the match. Pakistan will need significant improvement in this area if they progress further.
Sri Lanka : Pride Restored in Defeat
Sri Lanka were already eliminated going into Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026, but their performance particularly Shanaka’s devastating late innings showed genuine fighting spirit. The captain’s 76 off 31 balls under pressure was one of the knocks of the tournament. While Sri Lanka’s campaign was disappointing overall, this performance gives their fans something to be excited about heading into future ICC events.
Man of the Match: Sahibzada Farhan (100 off 60 balls) Best Bowler: Abrar Ahmed (3/23 in 4 overs) Turning Point: Abrar Ahmed dismissing Asalanka and Mendis in the 9th and 11th overs to halt Sri Lanka’s acceleration phase
FAQs
Who won Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 T20 World Cup?
Pakistan won the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 T20 World Cup Super 8 match by 5 runs. Pakistan scored 212/8 in 20 overs and Sri Lanka fell short at 207/6.
Where was Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 played?
The match was played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka Match 50 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Why was Babar Azam dropped for Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026?
Babar Azam was dropped due to his poor form in the tournament, 91 runs in 6 matches at a strike rate of only 112.34. Pakistan needed an aggressive innings and management chose Khawaja Nafay for more intent at the top.
Who scored a century in Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026?
Sahibzada Farhan scored a stunning 100 off 60 balls his maiden T20 International century with 9 fours and 5 sixes at a strike rate of 166.67.
What was the highest partnership in Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026?
Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman put on a massive 176-run opening partnership off 95 balls, one of the highest opening stands in T20 World Cup history.
Did Pakistan qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals?
Pakistan won their Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 Super 8 clash but only by 5 runs, far less than the 64-65 run margin needed to improve net run rate and leapfrog New Zealand. Their semifinal fate depended on other results.
Where to watch Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 live in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, the match was broadcast live on PTV Sports and Geo Super. Online streaming was available on Tapmad TV and mjunoon.tv.
Who took the most wickets in Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2026?
Abrar Ahmed was Pakistan’s standout bowler with 3 wickets for 23 runs in 4 overs (economy: 5.75). For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka also took 3 wickets for 33 runs.
Marvi Channa is the author at DailyNewsHub.site, sharing breaking news, tech updates, sports highlights, and trending global stories with clarity and credibility. She’s passionate about timely reporting and keeping readers informed fast