PAK vs SL: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Prediction, Squads, Live Score & Stats

• Fixture: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
• Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Super 8, Group 2
• Match: 50th Match, Super Eights, Group 2
• Date and Time: 28 February 2026, 7:00 PM IST
• Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele, Sri Lanka

Match Preview

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 will move to Pallekele and Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka here. This is a big match. Both teams have performed well in this tournament and both teams understand that the semi-finals are close and every result from here is important. A win tonight can change the qualification picture significantly. Both teams know this and both teams will play accordingly.

Sri Lanka come to this match on home turf and that is no small feat. They know Pallekele. They know how the pitch behaves and how conditions change towards evening. Their top order has been consistent and Kusal Mendis has been their best batsman by a clear margin in this tournament. Pathum Nissanka gives them strength at the top and does not lose his wickets cheaply. Their spin bowling suits these conditions well. Mahesh Thikshan is difficult to score against in the middle overs and he takes wickets when he needs them the most. Dushmant Chameera brings real pace and can destabilise any batting line-up early on. Sri Lanka are organised and confident and playing in front of their home crowd.

Pakistan are dangerous and they are always dangerous and the more pressure they are put on, the more dangerous they become. Sahibzada Farhan has been one of their main run scorers in this tournament and he plays with purpose and clarity. Salman Agha hits hard in the middle order and can speed up the innings when conditions allow. Abrar Ahmed bowls mysterious spin which makes it difficult for batsmen to get out and he takes important wickets. Mohammad Nawaz gives Pakistan credibility with both bat and ball and that balance is important in tough matches.

Both teams are here to qualify. Neither team is here to make numbers.

PAK vs SL – Head to Head (T20Is)

Note: Before the recent international matches, 29 T20 International matches have been played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Pakistan has won 17 matches, while Sri Lanka has won 12 matches, out of which none of the matches have been tied or drawn.

PAK vs SL – Squad List

Pitch Report table – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

Team Analysis

Pakistan

Pakistan have an explosive batting line-up that can score runs quickly up the order when they are playing well. Their spin bowling options are strong and suited to subcontinental conditions. Their ability to bowl fast in the death overs gives them a dimension that is very difficult to plan against.

Their concern is that when top-order wickets fall cheaply, there is sometimes inconsistency in the middle order. They rely heavily on their top-order runs to set the platform and when that platform does not come, the innings quickly loses momentum.

Key players to watch include Sahibzada Farhan who has been one of Pakistan’s leading run scorers in this tournament and gives them a strong foundation at the top. Salman Agha is an aggressive middle-order batsman who takes charge of the game when others are stagnant. Abrar Ahmed is their most effective wicket-taking spinner and the bowler who creates the most problems for the opposition batsmen. Mohammad Nawaz is a reliable all-round bowling option who handles the middle overs with experience and skill.

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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka have a strong top order batting that has been consistent throughout this tournament. Their spin attack is effective and Pallekele is perfectly suited to conditions where the pitch offers turn and grip. Being familiar with local conditions gives them an advantage that cannot be replicated by the opposition in a single training session.

Their concern is that when spinners come in, the batting slows down in the middle overs and it becomes difficult to find boundaries. The pressure situations in knockout style matches can expose the depth of the lower order if something goes wrong early on.

Key players to watch out for are Kusal Mendis who is their leading run scorer and the batsman around whom the entire Sri Lanka innings has been built. Pathum Nissanka is a consistent top order performer who gives Mendis a platform to play his natural game. Dushmant Chameera is their strike fast bowler who can take wickets early and completely change the complexion of the innings. Mahesh Tiksha is their main spin option who controls the middle overs and creates pressure which eventually produces wickets.

Toss Prediction

Pallekele gets foggy in the evenings and experienced captains in this part of the world understand the effect of fog on a cricket match. As the night progresses, bowling becomes more difficult and batting becomes easier. If both captains are chasing in a good position after winning the toss and the ball is sliding more freely over the bat, they will want to bowl first.

Cricbites Match Prediction

Final Thoughts

Pakistan’s Super Eight clash against Sri Lanka is steeped in history and qualification stakes. Both these teams have played many important matches against each other and this match is always competitive and always worth watching. Sri Lanka has the home ground and the support of the crowd. Pakistan has an unpredictable ability that makes them difficult to count out in tournament cricket.

The middle overs will be crucial. If Sri Lanka’s spinners can stop Pakistan for seven to fifteen overs, they create a pressure that is difficult to escape. If Pakistan’s batsmen can navigate that phase and survive the game, they have the power to win in the end.

Watch Mendis against Pakistan’s spinners. Watch when Abrar Ahmed comes to bowl. Watch who controls the middle overs because that is where this match will be won and lost.

Also Read: ENG vs NZ: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Prediction, Squads, Live Score & Stats

Disclaimer

This preview and prediction is based on current teams, historical performance, expected conditions and available data. Cricket remains unpredictable and results may vary depending on matchday conditions and individual performances.

FAQs: People Also Ask

Q1. Who is the captain of Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?

Salman Ali Agha is the captain of Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Q2. Who is the captain of Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?

Dasun Shanaka is the captain of Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Q3. When and at what time will Pakistan vs Sri Lanka be played?

Pakistan will face Sri Lanka on 28 February 2026. This match is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM.

Q4. Where is the match being played?

The Pak vs Sri Lanka T20 World Cup 2026 match will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele, Sri Lanka.

Q5. What is the match number of PAK vs SL in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?

This match is the 50th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is part of the Super Eight stage.