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Who: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
What: ICC 2026 Males’s T20 World Cup Tremendous Eights
The place: Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Pallekele in Sri Lanka
When: Saturday, February 28, at 7pm (13:30 GMT)
The way to comply with: We’ll have all of the buildup on Al Jazeera Sport from 10:30 GMT prematurely of our textual content commentary stream.

Pakistan face a make-or-break finale to the Tremendous Eights stage on the 2026 T20 World Cup after they should overcome already-eliminated Sri Lanka by a big margin if they’re to achieve the semifinals.

New Zealand presently maintain second spot within the four-team group, however their defeat by England on Friday has opened the door to Pakistan to climb into second spot.

Al Jazeera Sport takes a better have a look at the match and what Pakistan should do if they’re to progress to the knockout stage.

How have Pakistan fared on the T20 World Cup?

Pakistan’s marketing campaign began on a nervy word with a three-wicket win in an exciting last-over end in opposition to the Netherlands earlier than overcoming america and Namibia.

In between, they misplaced closely to India in a extremely anticipated conflict in Colombo.

Pakistan’s first Tremendous Eight match in opposition to New Zealand was washed out in Colombo earlier than they misplaced to England, and Harry Brook’s glowing century in Kandy on Tuesday.

How have Sri Lanka fared on the T20 World Cup?

Sri Lanka stormed to victories in opposition to Eire and Oman earlier than upsetting, and eliminating, Australia to seal their qualification from the group stage.

A shock defeat defeat adopted of their ultimate group recreation by the hands of Zimbabwe, which value them prime spot.

Their begin to the Tremendous Eights stage was a stark distinction to the group, nonetheless, as they crashed to defeats by England and New Zealand ending their hopes of reaching the semifinals on house soil.

How can Pakistan qualify for the T20 World Cup semifinals?

England have completed as group winners, having overwhelmed Pakistan and Sri Lanka to safe qualification for the semifinals earlier than claiming prime spot with their win in opposition to New Zealand.

Pakistan should not solely beat Sri Lanka, however overturn a net-run price deficit, if they’re to climb above the Kiwis to say the ultimate last-four spot.

To leapfrog New Zealand, and arrange a semifinal in opposition to South Africa, Pakistan should both beat the Sri Lankans by roughly 65 runs or extra, or chase their goal down in fewer than 13 overs.

Each equations shall be depending on the result of the primary innings of the sport.

Pakistan centered on Sri Lanka no matter semifinal hopes at T20 World Cup

Quick bowler Salman Mirza stated Pakistan’s focus has all the time been on beating Sri Lanka, no matter whether or not their qualification hopes remained alive on the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan wanted England to beat New Zealand handsomely in Colombo on Friday, however should now submit an enormous victory of their very own in opposition to Sri Lanka to sneak into the ultimate 4 on internet run price.

A New Zealand win would have ended Pakistan’s hopes, rendering the Sri Lanka conflict in Kandy meaningless when it comes to the match.

“It’s a important scenario as reaching the semifinal [was] not in our management,” Mirza advised reporters

“But when we attain the semifinal, we now have the aptitude to do higher.

“We would have liked to win the match in opposition to England, and that defeat has given us this place.”

Mirza rues Pakistan’s missed probability in opposition to England

After Brook was dismissed close to the top of England’s run chase, Pakistan hit again with two wickets within the penultimate over.

Mirza bowled the ultimate over with three runs to defend and two wickets to take for victory, however Jofra Archer hit the primary ball for 4.

“I had the chance to develop into a hero within the ultimate over, however I couldn’t seize that one,” stated Mirza.

“Such alternatives don’t come your method every single day. Had I taken two wickets, we’d have gained that match, nevertheless it was to not be.”

What occurred the final time Pakistan performed Sri Lanka?

The final time the nations had been paired in T20 Worldwide was throughout a three-game bilateral collection in January.

Sri Lanka claimed a rain-affected ultimate recreation by 14 runs to tie the collection 1-1.

Having misplaced the toss, the Sri Lankans posted 160-6 off the decreased 12-overs per facet. Pakistan regarded good when reaching 101 after 4 overs, however had been finally eight down when falling wanting their goal.

Head-to-head

This would be the thirty first assembly between the edges, with Pakistan successful 17 of the encounters and Sri Lanka rising victorious on 12 events, together with one no end result.

The edges have confronted one another 4 instances at T20 World Cups, with either side claiming two wins.

Predicted Pakistan staff

Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq

Predicted Sri Lanka staff

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara (wk), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera

Pakistan and Sri Lanka type guides

• Pakistan’s final 5 matches (most up-to-date end result final):
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• Sri Lanka’s final 5 matches (most up-to-date end result final):
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