Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka, ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights: PAK Knocked Out After Narrow 5-Run Win Over Co-Hosts

Hello cricket fans! We're back to make your weekend even better with the live coverage of the vital Super Eights match of the T20 World Cup 2026 between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Stay tuned with us for the live score and real-time updates of the match.

• If Pakistan bats first and score 160 runs, they need to restrict SL for 96 runs

• If Pakistan bats first and score 170 runs, they need to restrict SL for 106 runs

• If Pakistan bats first and score 180 runs, they need to restrict SL for 116 runs

• If Pakistan bats first and score 190 runs, they need to restrict SL for 126 runs

• If Pakistan bats first and score 200 runs, they need to restrict SL for 136 runs

• If Pak get a target of 120 runs, they need to chase it in 13 overs

• If Pak get a target of 140 runs, they need to chase it in 13 overs

• If Pak get a target of 160 runs, they need to chase it in 13.1 overs

• If Pak get a target of 180 runs, they need to chase it in 13.1 overs

• If Pak get a target of 200 runs, they need to chase it in 13.2 overs

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Kusal Perera, Pramod Madushan, Janith Liyanage, Kamil Mishara

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq, Khawaja Nafay, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf

The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 7pm IST, with the toss at 6:30pm. The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eights match will be telecast on the Star Sports Network TV channels in India. It will be live streamed on the JioHotstar app and website in the country.

Salman Ali Agha will reportedly be removed as Pakistan's T20I captain after the T20 World Cup 2026, regardless of the outcome of the campaign. Along with him, some of the senior players may also be dropped from the side after the campaign.

According to a PTI report, reliable sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board state that chairman Mohsin Naqvi is unhappy with how the current World Cup campaign has turned out for the Men In Green, as prior to the tournament, he was assured otherwise by the relevant stakeholders of Pakistan cricket.

If Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by the desired margin and enter semi-finals, then their semi-final will take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka. However, if they fail to qualify for the next stage, and New Zealand reach the semis, then their semi-final will take place in Kolkata against South Africa.

The weather of Pallekele International Stadium during Pakistan vs Sri Lanka is expected to be clear with no possibility of rain.

Dashun Shanaka has won the toss for Sri Lanka and elected to field first.

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara(w), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka(c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka

Pakistan have got a decent start in the all-important game with Fakhar Zaman charging down the ground for a boundary and collecting seven runs from the first over of Madhushanka.

PAK 7/0 (1)

Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan have got Pakistan off to a solid start. The wicket is flat and both the batters are playing with the right intent. Dangerous signs for Sri Lanka.

PAK 38/0 (4)

Pakistan need to win this match with a margin of 64 runs or more and they have got off to a perfect start courtesy of their openers - Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman. Both the batters are smashing SL bowlers to every part of the ground with ease.

78/0 (8)

Pakistan are off to a dream start in a must-win game. Fakhar Zaman (67*) and Sahibzada Farhan (66*) have made short work of SL spinners smashing them all parts of the ground at will. PAK are looking at a huge score here.

PAK 136/0 (13)

Sri Lanka finally gets the first breakthrough in the 16th over as Fakhar Zaman departs after smashing 84 off just 42 balls. Dushmantha Chameera, gets the priced wicket and Khwaja Nafay comes at No.3 to join Sahibzada Farhan.

PAK 177/1 (16)

That was some tight stuff by Sri Lankan bowlers in the last four overs to pull back Pakistan's first innings total to 212/8 in 20 overs. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman stole the show with a record-breaking 176-run stand for the 1st wicket.

PAK 212/8 (20)

Kamil Mishara gets a lucky boundary off the last ball of the over to get 5 runs from the over. Pakistan need early wickets to restrict SL to 147 runs on this flat track.

SL 5/0 (1)

Despite losing Pathum Nissanka early off Naseem Shah, Sri Lanka were going well with a healthy run-rate courtesy to some excellent shot-making by Kamil Mishara, who was batting well but Abrar Ahmar weaved his magic straight way with a first-ball wicket. SL lose their 2nd and Pakistan's hope strengthens.

SL 33/2 (4.1)

Charith Asalanka and Pavan Rathnayake are out in the middle for a Sri Lankan rebuild as the co-hosts stand 157 runs away from a consolation victory.

Abrar Ahmed capped off a masterclass in spin bowling by deceiving Kamindu Mendis with a piece of absolute magic. In what looked like a slow-motion sequence, Abrar delivered a significantly slower ball that hung in the air for an eternity.

Mendis, completely misjudging the lack of pace, swung far too early for the pull; the ball arrived well after the shot was completed, crashing into the stumps to end his brief stay at 3 (6). It was a fitting conclusion to a beautiful spell of bowling from the leg-spinner.

The momentum has swung decisively in Sri Lanka’s favor after that last over. For Pakistan, the math is no longer about the final target of 213 as their tournament survival hinges on a much tighter margin.

To leapfrog New Zealand and secure a semifinal berth, they must restrict Sri Lanka to 147 runs or fewer.

With the co-hosts currently chipping away at the total, Pakistan has just 27 runs left to play with before their qualification hopes officially evaporate.

Pakistan is officially out of the tournament. The result has sparked celebrations for New Zealand fans, as their spot in the knockouts is now secure.

This also confirms that the World Cup action in Sri Lanka ends with this match. The focus now shifts to India, specifically Kolkata and Ahmedabad, which are set to host the semifinals and the final. Landing these major fixtures is a significant win for both cities as the tournament reaches its conclusion.

That's it. Pakistan have beaten Sri Lanka but the 2009 champions will have to pack their bags and leave home. New Zealand are the 2nd semi-finalists from Group B.