Pakistan Face Do-or-Die Clash Against Sri Lanka After Toss Drama and Major Team Changes

Kandy (Sri Lanka), Feb 2026 : Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first against Pakistan in their final Super 8 encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Stadium on Saturday, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest with semifinal implications firmly in focus.

For Pakistan, the match represents a virtual knockout. After suffering a narrow defeat to England earlier in the Super 8s, their qualification hopes now hinge on a dominant victory over Sri Lanka. To leapfrog New Zealand on net run rate, Pakistan must secure a win by at least 64 runs if batting first, or chase down any target with more than six overs to spare if bowling second—an equation that leaves no room for error.

In a move that stunned fans and pundits alike, Pakistan rang in sweeping changes to their playing XI. Former captain Babar Azam, who has endured a lean run with the bat in the tournament, was left out, as was young opener Saim Ayub. The selection call underlined Pakistan’s urgency and willingness to take bold decisions in pursuit of a semifinal berth. The management opted for a reshuffled top and middle order, hoping fresh faces could deliver the explosive performance required in such a pressure situation.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, entered the contest with pride at stake after already being eliminated from the tournament. Consecutive defeats against England and New Zealand ended their semifinal aspirations, but the hosts remained keen to finish their campaign on a positive note in front of home supporters.

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said conditions played a key role in his decision. He pointed to the quality of the pitch and the possibility of dew later in the evening, suggesting bowling first would give his side a tactical advantage. Shanaka admitted that Sri Lanka had failed to execute their basics in the previous two matches but stressed that the team was determined to put in a complete performance across batting, bowling and fielding. He also thanked the fans for their unwavering support, calling it a major source of motivation despite the team’s early exit from the competition.

Sri Lanka made two changes to their lineup, with Kamil Mishara coming in as wicketkeeper after Kusal Mendis was ruled out due to injury, while Janith Liyanage replaced Dushan Hemantha. The adjustments reflected Sri Lanka’s intent to test their bench strength and give opportunities to players eager to make an impact on the international stage.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha described the match as a “massive opportunity,” acknowledging the unusual pressure of knowing the exact margin required for qualification. He emphasised that Pakistan needed to excel in all three departments and put up a strong total if they were to keep their tournament alive. Agha confirmed three changes to the side, bringing in Naseem Shah, Khawaja Nafay and Abrar Ahmed in a bid to strengthen both the bowling attack and the batting depth.

As the two teams took the field in Kandy, the contrast in motivations was clear—Pakistan chasing a place in the semifinals, Sri Lanka seeking redemption. With bold selections, tactical gambles and a razor-sharp qualification equation, the clash promised high drama in the closing stages of the Super 8s.

Playing XIs:

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

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