TOP STORIES
Pakistan face uphill task in bid for semi-final spot
Pakistan are set to take on Sri Lanka in match 50 of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Both teams have different motives heading into the match: Pakistan cling to mathematical hope, while Sri Lanka's pride is at stake.
Pakistan’s campaign has been handed a slim lifeline thanks to England upsetting the group dynamics with a nervy win over New Zealand on Friday in Colombo. It is a narrow corridor for Pakistan, but it exists. They will need something extraordinary, such as a victory by 65 runs or more if defending, or a chase completed within 12.4 overs if batting second, to make it to the semi-finals.
Their campaign took a hit after their match against New Zealand at the start of the Super Eights was washed out. Moreover, they have lacked collective performances. At the top, Sahibzada Farhan has been the spark, providing early tempo and positivity. But the middle order has struggled to convert starts into commanding totals.
Now, Pakistan’s batting unit must finally click in unison because it is a do-or-die showdown. For Sri Lanka, it is all about signing off on a good note. With qualification no longer in their hands, Sri Lanka now play for pride. A strong finish at home would restore some belief in the camp.
Head-to-head
Matches - 29
PAK won - 17
SL won - 12
SL Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka
PAK Probable XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah/Abrar Ahmed, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq
Tags
More News
ICC reveals major changes in format ahead of 2027 ODI World Cup
The 2027 ODI World Cup, set to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia, will see the introduction of a Super Series round before the Group Stage match. With the arrival of this rule, two teams will be eliminated from the original 14, with the remaining 12 teams being divided into two groups of six.
The global event will also see the introduction of the Su...
"Not many people get to play different roles": Washington Sundar enjoys batting in different situations
Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar smartly played a key part in India's courageous six-wicket win over England in the first ODI on Tuesday in Birmingham. Coming in at a crucial period, Sundar was amazingly watchful, firing a brilliant knock of 52 unbeaten to power the side to victory. Earlier in the chase, captain Shubman Gill produced a scintillating knock of 80 to guide the...
"We will try different combinations": Shubman Gill after India's win over England
After suffering a catastrophic defeat in the T20I series, India made a stunning comeback, beating England by six-wickets in the first ODI on Tuesday in Birmingham to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. India were on a six-match losing streak – a 2-0 loss to Ireland and a 4-0 loss to England in the T20I series – but they finally managed to secure their first win...
ZIM vs BAN, 1st T20I: Zimbabwe target historic sweep as Bangladesh eye much-needed comeback
Zimbabwe and Bangladesh are set to face each other in the first T20I of the three-match series, scheduled to be played on Wednesday in Bulawayo. Zimbabwe, having claimed both the one-off Test and the ODI series, are on the verge of winning every format in a single home campaign against Bangladesh. So far, they have been in scor...
Jasprit Bumrah creates history on ODI comeback
Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah made a thumping return to ODIs, playing a powerful role in India's six-wicket win over England in the first ODI on Tuesday in Birmingham. Making his first ODI appearance after a long time, Bumrah registered a massive record, reaching the milestone of 150 ODI wickets by dismissing England captain Harry Brook.
The huge achievement lifted him to ...
Android App
iOS App
YouTube
Instagram
Twitter