Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: T20 World Cup Super 8 Clash at Pallekele The 50th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 pits Pakistan against Sri Lanka in a high-stakes Super 8 Group 2 encounter on February 28, 2026, at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It’s scheduled for 7:00 PM local time (7:30 PM IST), with toss at 6:30 PM local. This do-or-die game for Pakistan comes as they chase semi-final hopes, needing a massive win to boost their net run rate against a Sri Lankan side already out of contention.
Pallekele’s pitch favors batters early with firm bounce and true pace, letting openers attack in the powerplay, but it slows down later, gripping for spinners and slower bowlers. Weather looks mostly clear around 21-28°C with high humidity (83%), though a 60% rain chance could bring interruptions—teams might face sticky conditions and potential DLS drama.
Pakistan sit on the brink after a narrow loss to England and a rain-washed tie with New Zealand—no Super 8 wins yet, their NRR at -0.461. They must beat Sri Lanka by 64 runs batting first or chase in under 13.1 overs to leapfrog New Zealand’s superior rate (1.390). For hosts Sri Lanka, it’s pride only after three straight Super 8 losses, including a 51-run thrashing by England where they folded for 95. Still, playing at home, they’ll aim to spoil Pakistan’s party and end on a high.
PAK vs SL Match Details
- Match: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 50th Match
- Teams: PAK vs SL
- Date: 28 Feb 2026
- Time: 6:30 PM 1:30 PM GMT / 7:00 PM LOCAL
- Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
T20 World 2026 Live Streaming Info
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off on February 7, 2026, and wraps up with the final on March 8, 2026. Hosted across India and Sri Lanka with 20 teams, it spans about a month—group stages from early February, Super 8s mid-month, semis late February/early March, and the final in Colombo or Mumbai.
- In India, tune into Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2) or stream on Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema.
- Pakistan viewers can watch on PTV Sports, A Sports, or Ten Sports, with streaming available on Tapmad and Tamasha.
- For Sri Lanka, options include SLRC, Channel Eye, and Siyatha TV on TV, plus Sri Lanka Cricket YouTube and Dialog ViU online.
- UK fans have Sky Sports Cricket, TNT Sports 1, and talkSPORT on television, alongside Sky Go, Discovery+, and NOW TV for streaming.
- In South Africa, SuperSport covers it on TV and via their app.
- Australia might check Fox Sports for TV and Kayo Sports for live streams.
- USA and Canada: Willow TV on TV, Sling TV or Willow HD app for streaming.
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ on TV and Sky Go app.
- Bangladesh: Gazi TV (GTV) and Rabith BD app.
- Afghanistan: RTA Sport and Ariana TV.
Rest of the world: ICC.tv for free streaming where no local rights holder exists. Subscriptions often apply, and VPNs can assist with geo-blocks where permitted.
How to Watch the Match for Free:
Catch every boundary without paying via these official free options, perfect for fans in Pakistan and beyond.
Pakistan: PTV Sports broadcasts all matches live for free on TV via terrestrial, cable, and satellite—no subscription needed.
Live Streaming Info:
The 50th T20 World Cup match will be live on Willow Cricket.
Live Score Info:
Head-to-Head Record
In 29 T20Is, Pakistan lead with 17 wins to Sri Lanka’s 12, no ties or no-results. The last five meetings show Pakistan’s edge: wins by 6 wickets (Jan 2026), 14 runs loss to SL (Jan 2026), 6 wickets (Nov 2025), 6-run loss to SL (Nov 2025), and 7 wickets (Nov 2025)—Pakistan taking three. At World Cups, it’s even: split four games, from Pakistan’s 2009 final triumph to SL’s 2012 semi-final win.
Team Form and Talking Points
Pakistan’s last five: L W Ab L W (abandoned included), showing inconsistency but recent momentum from group stage. Sri Lanka: L L L W W, peaking early with an Australia upset but crumbling lately. Key buzz? Pakistan ditching caution—Salman Agha’s captaincy under fire after tepid batting (60 runs in 5 inns), and Babar Azam’s spot questioned amid low strike rates. Sri Lanka’s spinners shine, but batting flops haunt them. Sahibzada Farhan’s 283 tournament runs and Shaheen Afridi’s pace give Pakistan firepower, while Dunith Wellalage’s left-arm spin could target Pakistan’s right-heavy top. Home spin-friendly tracks amplify the duel between Pakistan’s middle-order power needs and SL’s mystery men like Maheesh Theekshana.
Pakistan Analysis
Strengths: Explosive top order with Farhan in red-hot form; lethal pace attack led by Shaheen; Shadab Khan’s all-round spin threat.
Weaknesses: Middle-order strike-rate woes (Agha, Saim Ayub struggling); no big Super 8 chase history here.
Key Players: Sahibzada Farhan (283 runs), Shaheen Afridi (key wickets vs England), Salman Agha (must lead from No.3). Recent: Edged England closely, building pace belief.
Probable XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Usman Tariq.
Sri Lanka Analysis
Strengths: Spin depth (Wellalage, Theekshana, Mendis); home advantage at spin-grippy Pallekele; Dasun Shanaka’s finishing.
Weaknesses: Batting collapses (95 all out vs England); lost momentum post-Australia win; low Nissanka SR vs Pak (101.70).
Key Players: Pathum Nissanka (opener anchor), Dunith Wellalage (emerging star), Dasun Shanaka (30 vs England, captain cool). Recent: Three defeats, but spinners impress per coach.
Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka.
Pakistan hold the edge with better head-to-head, fresher momentum, and desperation fueling aggression—expect Shaheen and Farhan to fire on a pitch suiting their strengths. Sri Lanka fights for pride at home, but batting frailties could prove fatal against Pak’s seam-spin mix. Pakistan wins by 25-30 runs batting first, or chases big in 15 overs if defending NRR math, sneaking semis.