T20 World Cup 2026: Sri Lanka Chooses to Bowl First Against Pakistan as Babar Azam is Dropped
Synopsis
In a pivotal match at the T20 World Cup 2026, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first against Pakistan, who made significant changes in their lineup, including dropping former captain Babar Azam. A thrilling contest awaits at the Pallekele International Stadium.
Key Takeaways
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Babar Azam has been dropped from the Pakistan lineup.
Pakistan must win by a margin of 64 runs to qualify for the semifinals.
Sri Lanka has made two changes to their team.
The match is taking place at Pallekele International Stadium.
Kandy (Sri Lanka), Feb 28 (NationPress) In a crucial encounter at the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan at the Pallekele International Stadium on Saturday. Pakistan has made significant alterations to their lineup, most notably dropping former captain Babar Azam, whose performance had been underwhelming, along with Saim Ayub not being part of the playing XI.
Entering this match, Pakistan is looking to bounce back after a narrow loss to England, the two-time champions, just days earlier. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is already out of contention for the tournament, having faced defeats against both England and New Zealand in their initial Super 8s matches.
For Pakistan to secure a spot in the semifinals, they must defeat Sri Lanka by a margin of 64 runs to improve their Net Run Rate (NRR) beyond that of New Zealand.
After the toss, Sri Lanka's captain, Dasun Shanaka, expressed, "We’re going to bowl first. The pitch looks good, and there might be dew later. We have some talented players, but we need to execute our basics effectively. We fell short in our last two games, and it's crucial to get it right across all departments." He added, "Our fans support us regardless of the outcomes, which is a great source of motivation. Thank you to everyone here. We are eager for the match. We’ve made two changes: Kamil Mishara is in for the injured Kusal Mendis, and Janith Liyanage replaces Dushan Hemantha."
Following the toss, Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha remarked, "This is a huge opportunity for us. We must excel in batting, bowling, and fielding to succeed. It’s about setting a solid total and limiting their score. It can be challenging at times, but we know our objectives. We’re making three changes: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Salman Mirza are out, while Naseem Shah, Khawaja Nafay, and Abrar Ahmed are in."
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
Point of View
As Pakistan needs a significant victory to improve their Net Run Rate for a chance at the semifinals. The absence of Babar Azam highlights the pressure on the team to perform under challenging circumstances. Fans can anticipate a tightly contested game.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan start?
The match is set to commence at 3:00 PM local time.
Why was Babar Azam dropped from the playing XI?
Babar Azam was dropped due to his recent struggles with form, prompting the team to make significant changes.
What must Pakistan do to qualify for the semifinals?
Pakistan needs to defeat Sri Lanka by at least 64 runs to improve their Net Run Rate and qualify.
Who replaced Kusal Mendis in the Sri Lankan team?
Kamil Mishara has come in to replace Kusal Mendis, who is injured.
What is the significance of the toss outcome?
Winning the toss and choosing to bowl first often provides an advantage, especially if dew affects the pitch later in the game.
