Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Preview, Predicted Playing XIs: Pakistan face must-win test against Sri Lanka in Super 8 showdown

Pakistan will need a commanding win over already-eliminated Sri Lanka and some help from England to keep their semifinal hopes alive in the T20 World Cup when they play their final Super 8 match on Saturday. Pakistan are currently third in the table.

New Zealand are in a much stronger position with three points and a superior net run rate, with three points and a vastly superior net run rate of 3.050, New Zealand are in pole position compared to Pakistan’s solitary point from two matches and a negative NRR of -0.461. Pakistan have just one point from two matches and will need a near-perfect performance to qualify.



Sahibzada Farhan has been the standout performer for Pakistan, scoring 283 runs at an average of 70.75, including a century and two fifties. Beyond him, no other batter has scored big, and star players like Babar Azam (91 runs) and Agha (44 runs) have struggled. Pakistan will look to Fakhar Zaman and bowlers Usman Tariq and Shaheen Shah Afridi to deliver in their must-win clash.

For co-hosts Sri Lanka, the focus will be on giving their fans a win in their final match. After a strong start with a big win over Australia, Sri Lanka have lost their last three matches against Zimbabwe, England, and New Zealand. Early wickets and underwhelming performances with both bat and ball have left the team struggling, and they will need to regroup quickly to finish their home tournament on a high note.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Dushan Hemantha, Kamindu Mendis, Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage.

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Tariq.

Squads:

• Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Charith Asalanka, Dushan Hemantha, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage.
• Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Tariq.

Get the latest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 updates, including the full schedule, teams, live scores, points table, and key series stats such as top run-scorers and wicket-takers.