Author: A Sports

KANDY: Sri Lanka have won the toss and decided to bowl first against Pakistan in the crucial Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. 

Playing XIs

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

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

Head to Head

Both teams have met 29 times in T20Is, with the Green Shirts winning 17 games, whereas the Islanders have managed to win 12.

In the T20 World Cups, the two teams have met four times, with each team winning two games.

READ: Pakistan set for bold changes in Playing XI for must-win Sri Lanka clash

KANDY: Pakistan are poised to ring in sweeping changes in the Playing XI for their decisive Super Eight fixture against Sri Lanka in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on Saturday at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

With their semi-final hopes hanging by a thread, the team management is expected to reshuffle the playing XI in a bid to engineer the massive victory required to stay alive in the tournament.

Fast bowler Mohammad Salman Mirza is likely to make way for spinner Abrar Ahmed, who has not featured since the group-stage matches against the Netherlands, USA and India.

Young batter Khawaja Nafay is also tipped to return for the high-stakes encounter and could replace all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz in the XI.

There is further speculation that senior batter Babar Azam may be rested, while pace all-rounder Faheem Ashraf is in contention for inclusion.

While Sri Lanka have already been knocked out of the competition, Pakistan enter the contest under immense pressure.

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The Green Shirts sit third in Super Eight Group 2 with just one point from two matches and a net run rate (NRR) of -0.461.

To qualify for the semi-finals, Pakistan must not only beat Sri Lanka but do so convincingly.

With New Zealand holding a superior NRR of 1.390, Pakistan need a win by roughly 65 runs or chase down a target within 13 overs to leapfrog the Black Caps.

England’s recent victory over New Zealand has kept Pakistan’s campaign alive, but their fate now rests entirely in their own hands.

Anything short of the required margin will see New Zealand join England in progressing to the semi-finals from Group 2.

Pakistan’s likely playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (c), Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq.

READ: Kandy weather update ahead of Pakistan-Sri Lanka Super Eight clash

KANDY: Pakistan’s do-or-die Super Eight clash against co-hosts Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to unfold under clear skies at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, with weather unlikely to disrupt proceedings.

As of 7 PM local time, conditions in Kandy are expected to be ideal for cricket.

The temperature will hover around 25°C, with a matching RealFeel, while a gentle north-westerly breeze at 6 km/h, gusting up to 13 km/h, should offer slight relief from the humidity.

Humidity levels stand at 62%, accompanied by a dew point of 18°C, creating a mildly muggy atmosphere.

However, cloud cover is almost non-existent at just 2%, visibility stretches to eight kilometres, and the cloud ceiling is positioned high at 9,100 metres.

With the AccuLumen Brightness Index reading zero, the encounter will be played entirely under floodlights.

While air quality has been flagged as unhealthy for sensitive individuals, playing conditions themselves appear well-suited for an uninterrupted contest.

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For Sri Lanka, the fixture carries little more than pride, having already been eliminated from the tournament. For Pakistan, however, the stakes could not be higher.

The Green Shirts sit third in Super Eight Group 2 with just one point from two matches and a net run rate (NRR) of -0.461. Their semi-final ambitions hinge not only on victory but on the scale of it.

With New Zealand currently boasting a superior NRR of 1.390, Pakistan require a commanding win to leapfrog the Black Caps in the standings.

Calculations suggest they must defeat Sri Lanka by approximately 65 runs, or chase down a target within 13 overs, to overhaul New Zealand’s net run rate.

England’s recent win over New Zealand has kept Pakistan’s hopes flickering, but their fate now rests entirely in their own hands.

Anything less than the required margin would see New Zealand advance alongside England to the semi-finals from Group 2.

READ: Shahid Afridi names Agha’s replacement for Pakistan captaincy

Former all-rounder Shahid Afridi believes Shadab Khan will not be a bad choice to captain Pakistan’s T20I team, emphasizing that consistent performances will be key if he is to lead the team following the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Currently, Salman Ali Agha is leading the side in the shorter format. The 2009 champions are on the brink of elimination after losing to England in the Super Eight.

Shahid Afridi shared his views on the captaincy while talking on a private channel.

“If the same coach [Mike Hesson] continues, then in my opinion, Shadab Khan will be appointed as captain,” he remarked.

The 27-year-old backed Shadab Khan amid limited options to lead the side.

“Shadab is not a bad choice for captaincy because we do not have many other options at the moment,” he continued

“However, if Shadab had maintained consistency in his bowling, the way he was performing earlier, it would have strengthened his case,” Afridi explained.

The 48-year-old linked better performances from Shadab with leadership responsibility.

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“As captain, we also need him to contribute regularly with his performances so that when someone talks about him, it will be worth mentioning.  Appoint him as captain, but he will have to perform,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Salman Ali Agha was appointed the captain of the Pakistan T20I side in March 2025, replacing wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan.

Under his leadership, Pakistan played 49 T20Is, winning 30 and losing 18. His win percentage record is 61.22.

Pakistan played 49 T20Is under his captaincy, winning 30 and losing 18, with a win rate of 61.22%. Despite this, they failed to claim the Asia Cup 2025, losing four times to arch-rivals India.

However, Pakistan struggled in major matches, particularly against arch-rivals India, whom they faced four times- three in the Asia Cup, including the final, and one in the T20 World Cup 2026.

READ: Clinical England restrict New Zealand to modest total

COLOMBO: England’s dramatic four-wicket win over New Zealand by four wickets in the Group 2 Super Eight fixture has kept Pakistan alive in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Before heading into the fixture, Pakistan needed an England win over New Zealand to remain in contention for the semi-final.

England chased down a stiff 160-run target on the third ball of the final over, with Will Jacks hitting a boundary behind fine leg to seal the victory.

New Zealand were in command when Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed joined hands in the 17th over, with the Three Lions requiring 43 from 18 balls. However, a 22 run over from Glenn Phillips turned the game on its head.

The next over unfolded in a similar manner as Rehan struck boundaries off the first and final deliveries to collect 16 runs. That left England needing just five runs in the final over.

Will Jacks, who remained unbeaten on 32 from 18, was awarded Player of the Match for his all-round contribution.

With this win, England denied New Zealand a direct chance of reaching the semi-finals, leaving their fate dependent on the Sri Lanka- Pakistan clash.

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For Pakistan to advance to the semis, they need to beat Sri Lanka by approximately 65 runs or chase the target in about 13 overs.

However, this remains an estimate, with the exact qualification scenario to be confirmed after the conclusion of the first innings.

The first semi-final will be played in Colombo if Pakistan manage to win, according to the required equation.

But a defeat would mean the first semi-final will be staged in Kolkata — unless South Africa lose to Zimbabwe and India somehow top Group 1.

READ: Salman wary of ‘critical situation’ before Sri Lanka clash

COLOMBO: England sealed a nervy last-over victory against New Zealand in the Group 2 Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the RPS Stadium on Friday.

Set a stiff 160, England managed to secure a thrilling victory in the last over.

England lost wickets early and looked like they would be squeezed out at 117-6, needing 43 from the last three overs.

But Ahmed and Jacks took 22 off the 18th over from Glenn Phillips to turn the match on its head.

Ahmed blasted 19 off seven balls in his first T20 World Cup match.

Jacks made an unbeaten 32 off 18 as the pair saw England to 161-6 with three balls to spare.

Jacks, who also took 2-23 to be England’s leading bowler, was named player of the match for an incredible fourth time in seven T20 World Cup outings this campaign.

England will move on to a semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday against either India or the West Indies, who clash on Sunday to decide the last semi-final berth.

New Zealand now have to sweat on the outcome of Saturday’s clash between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Kandy which will decide the second semi-finalist from Super Eights Group 2.

Pakistan have an inferior run rate to New Zealand so will need to win by 65 runs or inside 13 overs, if chasing, to deny the Kiwis.

England spinners spun a web around the New Zealand batting lineup, restricting them from imposing an important total.

Opting to bat first, New Zealand managed 159-7 at the end of their 20 overs.

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen laid a solid foundation with a 64-run partnership in seven overs.

Adil Rashid broke the threatening stand as Siefert was stumped, courtesy of a brilliant piece of work from Jos Buttler behind the stumps. The right-hander made 35 off 25, smashing two sixes and three fours.

The second wicket also fell in quick succession. Finn Allen was caught off Will Jacks’ bowling after managing 29 from 19 with the aid of three sixes.

After a double blow, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra stabilized the innings with a 31-run partnership.

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The scorecard read when Ravindra fell prey to Rehan Ahmed. He scored 11 off 13.

After a solid start, New Zealand’s middle order crumbled with England spinners tightening the screws.

The only notable batter was Glenn Phillips, who hit a vital 39 from 28 balls with the help of a six and four boundaries.

The right-hander stood firm when wickets tumbled around him. As New Zealand collapsed to 123-4 to 135-6 in 17.1 overs.

Eventually, they managed to put a respectable total on the board at the end of the innings.

For England, Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, and Rehan Ahmed shared six wickets between them.

READ: Salman wary of ‘critical situation’ before Sri Lanka clash

Pakistan left-arm fast bowler Salman Mirza is hopeful ahead of their last Super Eight fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against Sri Lanka, scheduled for Saturday, February 28, at the Pallekele International Stadium. 

Speaking ahead of their last Super Eight fixture against Sri Lanka, Mirza acknowledged the difficulty of securing a spot in the final four.

“It’s a critical situation as reaching the semi-final is not in our control,” Mirza told reporters

Pakistan need to rely on the ongoing fixture between New Zealand. A win for the BlackCaps would end the Green Shirts’ hopes of reaching the semi-final.

If the Three Lions managed to beat England by a hefty margin, then Pakistan would have to seal a big win over Sri Lanka to ensure qualification.

“But if we reach the semi-final, we have the capability to do better,” he added.

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He mentioned Pakistan’s loss against England, lamenting that if he had taken two wickets in the last over, the situation would have been entirely different.

“We needed to win the match against England, and that defeat has given us this position,” he recalled.

“I had the opportunity to become a hero in the final over, but I couldn’t grab that one.”

The 32-year-old said that such opportunities do not come every day and admitted that had he taken two wicket, they would have won the match, but it was not meant to be.

“Such opportunities do not come your way every day. Had I taken two wickets, we would have won that match, but it was not to be,” he concluded.

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COLOMBO: New Zealand have won the toss and decided to bat first against England in the Group 2 Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the RPS Stadium on Friday.

Playing XIs

England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (w), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid.

New Zealand: Tim Seifert (w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi and Lockie Ferguson.

Head to Head

New Zealand and England have played each other 27 times in 20 over format. The Three Lions are ahead with 16 wins, while BlacCaps have managed to win 10 games.

READ: Real Madrid to play Manchester City in Champions League last 16

CHENNAI: Defending champions India produced a batting masterclass to dismantle Zimbabwe and, in the process, rewrote multiple records during their Super Eight clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday.

India piled up a staggering 256-4 in their allotted 20 overs, now their highest-ever total in T20 World Cup history.

The effort eclipsed their previous best of 218/4 against England in the inaugural 2007 edition.

India’s highest totals in T20 World Cups

256/4 vs Zimbabwe (2026)

218/4 vs England (2007)

210/2 vs Afghanistan (2021)

209/9 vs Namibia (2026)

205/5 vs Australia (2024)

The total also ranks as India’s fifth-highest score in men’s T20 Internationals overall, with their 297/6 against Bangladesh in 2024 still sitting at the top.

The 256-4 is also the second-highest total ever recorded in the history of the men’s T20 World Cup.

Only Sri Lanka’s 260/6 against Ireland in 2007 stands above it.

Highest totals in ICC Men’s T20 World Cups

Sri Lanka – 260/6 vs Ireland (2007)

India – 256/4 vs Zimbabwe (2026)

West Indies – 254/6 vs Zimbabwe (2026)

Ireland – 235/5 vs Oman (2026)

England – 230/8 vs South Africa (2016)

In doing so, India surpassed the West Indies’ 254-6, also made against Zimbabwe earlier in the ongoing Super Eight stage, while Ireland’s 235/5 slipped to third in the current edition’s rankings.

Notably, India’s 256-4 is now the highest total of the 2026 tournament so far.

The carnage was highlighted by an onslaught of sixes. Indian batters cleared the ropes 17 times, the most by India in a single T20 World Cup innings.

Their previous best was 15 sixes against Australia in the semi-final of the 2024 edition.

Most sixes in an innings at T20 World Cups

West Indies – 19 vs Zimbabwe (2026)

Netherlands – 19 vs Ireland (2014)

India – 17 vs Zimbabwe (2026)

Australia – 16 vs India (2010)

India – 15 vs Australia (2024)

While West Indies and the Netherlands jointly hold the overall record with 19 sixes in an innings, India’s 17 placed them third on the all-time list.

READ: Peshawar Zalmi rope in England fast bowler as direct signing

Peshawar Zalmi have bolstered their pace arsenal by securing the services of England fast bowler Tymal Mills as a direct signing for the upcoming 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The franchise confirmed the development through their official social media platforms, welcoming the left-arm pacer with a punchy message: “The storm just levelled up. Let’s welcome England’s express pacer Tymal Mills to the Yellow Storm.”

 

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PSL 11 is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, and Zalmi appear keen to assemble a squad capable of mounting a serious title challenge.

Mills becomes Zalmi’s second direct signing this season after Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie was drafted in as a replacement for Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who withdrew from the tournament.

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The English pacer is no stranger to the franchise, having previously represented Zalmi in the third edition of the PSL. During that campaign, he featured in five matches and picked up seven wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.21.

Overall, Mills has played 30 PSL matches, claiming 37 wickets at an economy of 8.41. He featured in the last two seasons for Islamabad United.

Peshawar Zalmi squad for PSL 11

Babar Azam, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Haris, Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, James Vince, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mirza Tahir Baig and Tymal Mills.

READ: India batter Rinku Singh leaves team after father’s death