Sri Lanka were already knocked out, while Pakistan’s campaign also ends tonight. So far, England, New Zealand and South Africa have been confirmed as the semi-finalists of the T20 World Cup 2026. The fourth and final spot is still up for grabs, with India and West Indies fighting for it tomorrow (Sunday). The winner of that game will advance, while the loser will be knocked out.

Do join us for the crucial encounter in Kolkata. That’s it from this space, folks! We hope you liked our coverage of the game. Goodnight! Take care!

While England had already qualified for the semi-finals from Group 2, New Zealand took the remaining one spot from the group. Have a look at final points table -

Some insane hitting from Dasun Shanaka in the final over, but Pakistan manage to escape with a narrow 5-run win! Needing 28 to win off the last over, Shanaka smashed Shaheen Afridi for a four and then a hat-trick of sixes, playing some unbelievable shots. However, Shaheen bounced back with two dot balls -- with the final one staying controversial -- and sealed the game in Pakistan's favour. The final ball seemed a clear wide outside the tramline, but the umpire thought otherwise. It is what it is! Pakistan save their blushes but cannot avoid elimination. They are out and New Zealand are through to the semi-finals.

Dasun Shanaka slams a FIFTY! He smashes Shadab Khan for two sixes in the over, reaching his half-century with the second one. A total of 18 runs come off the over. Sri Lanka need 28 off the final six balls.

SL 185-6 (19)

Dasun Shanaka gets on the leg side and smashes the ball over the long-off for a biggie. He is not giving up. Sri Lanka are alive in this chase.

SL 175-6 (18.2)

Shaheen Afridi has dismissed Pavan Rathnayake! It was a leg-cutter from Shaheen Afridi and he outfoxed Rathnayake with it. The batter smashed it but failed to clear the long-on. Sri Lanka are six down.

Pavan Rathnayake c (sub)Saim Ayub b Shaheen Afridi 58(37)

SL 162-6 (17.3)

Tha pair of Pavan Rathnayake and Dasun Shanaka has added 61 runs off 32 balls so far. Sri Lanka need 51 runs in 16 balls. Can they win this? It would a cherry on top if they make it happen! 

SL 162-5 (17.2)

Pakistan have been eliminated from the T20 World Cup 2026! As a result, their competitor from Group 2 — New Zealand — enter the semi-finals. As soon as Sri Lanka scored 148, they knocked Pakistan out of the race. Even if Pakistan go on to win this game, they will be tied on 3 points with New Zealand but will remain below the Blackcaps on Net Run Rate.

SL 150-5 (16)

Pavan Rathnayake slog-sweeps Shadab Khan for a six and races to his fifty with it. He gets there in 32 balls. Pakistan are just 13 runs away from getting eliminated from T20 World Cup 2026. 

SL 135-5 (15)

This turns out to be an expensive over from Mohammad Nawaz. Dasun Shanaka slammed the spinner for a six, while Pavan Rathnayake hit a four. Sri Lanka need 93 runs in 36 balls. They might lose this game, but they are on course to eliminating Pakistan. Sri Lanka need only 28 more to do that.

SL 120-5 (14)

Mohammad Nawaz has removed Janith Liyanage! The ball straightened after pitching and hit the middle stump. Sri Lanka are five down, and Pakistan can sense an outside opportunity here. Sri Lanka are still 47 runs away from eliminating Pakistan.

SL 101-5 (12)

Kamindu Mendis is OUT! That is too slower from Abrar Ahmed and Mendis is early on this shot. He misses it completely and gets cleaned up. Pakistan continue to fight for a semi-final spot. Though their chances look very slim at this point. Abrar Ahmed finishes his quota of four overs with figures of 3 for 23.

Kamindu Mendis b Abrar Ahmed 3(6)  

SL 94-4 (11)

Pavan Rathnayake is solid at one end, but the dismissal of Charith Asalanka has slowed Sri Lanka down. They need 128 runs in 60 balls. To eliminate Pakistan, Sri Lanka need only 63 in 60 balls.

SL 85-3 (10)

Abrar Ahmed has dismissed Charith Asalanka! The dropped catch couldn't do any damage to Pakistan as Abrar has cleaned up Asalanka this time. Sri Lanka are three down in the chase.

Charith Asalanka b Abrar Ahmed 25(18)

SL 75-3 (8.5)

8.2 - Khawaja Nafay drops a tough chance at covers. Charith Asalanka sliced the Abrar Ahmed delivery to the right of the fielder. Nafay put in a brilliant dive to his right and grabbed the ball, but it popped out of his hands as his elbows hit the ground.

You will rarely see Usman Tariq leaking runs. The spinner has conceded 13 in this first one. Charith Asalanka smashed the spinner for a four and a six. Sri Lanka are going well in this chase.

SL 69-2 (8)

Seven runs come off Abrar Ahmed's second over. He continues to remain economical and effective. The leg‑spinner has conceded only nine runs in his two overs while claiming a wicket.

SL 56-2 (7)

Naseem Shah pitched it short and Charith Asalanka pulled it away for a six over the deeep square leg. That came right from the middle of his bat. End of powerplay and Sri Lanka have scored 49. They need 99 more off the remaining 84 balls to eliminate Pakistan.

SL 49-2 (6)

That is a good shot from Pavan Rathnayake for four. It was a back‑of‑a‑length delivery from Naseem Shah. Rathnayake got onto the back foot and pulled the ball to the wide of mid-on for a boundary.

SL 42-2 (5.2)

OUT! Abrar Ahmed has cleaned up Kamil Mishara! He has provided Pakistan with a crucial breakthrough, as Mishara was looking really dangerous. The southpaw tried to create room for himself and cut the ball on the off side but missed it. The ball crashed into his off‑stump.

Kamil Mishara b Abrar Ahmed 26(15)

SL 33-2 (4.1)

Kamil Mishara smashed Shaheen Afridi for one six and two fours in the third over. He then slammed Naseem Shah for a four in the fourth over. The southpaw is batting on 26 off 14. 

SL 33-1 (4)

That is a superb shot from Kamil Mishara! It was a short of length ball from Shaheen Afridi but Mishara adjusted beautifully to smash it for a six over the mid-on. The southpaw follows it up with a four through the covers. Shaheen went fuller this time and Mishara drove it in the gap. 

SL 20-1 (2.3)

Here is the first blow for Pakistan! Naseem Shah has provided the breakthrough. Pathum Nissanka backed away to make room for himself, but Naseem outfoxed him with a slower, wider delivery. Nissanka ended up scooping it to extra cover.

SL 8-1 (1.3)

A thick outside edge for Kamil Mishara as he tried to hit the Shaheen Afridi delivery. The ball flies over the slips and runs away for a four. Five came off the tight over from the Pakistan pacer. 

SL 5-0 (1)

To enter the semi-finals, Pakistan need to stop Sri Lanka below 148. If they fail to do so, New Zealand will enter the knockouts. It is a tough ask from the Pakistan bowler s on his belter of a track. They would feel that should have scored more in the final four overs.

This is a decent comeback from Sri Lanka in the final four overs or so. They conceded only 36 runs in the last 26 balls while claiming eight wickets. Dilshan Madushanka bowled two really tight overs towards the end, while Dasun Shanaka also bowled an economical one.

PAK 212-8 (20)

Dasun Shanaka claimed two wickets in the over. Mohammad Nawaz was dismissed on the second ball while Salman Agha was removed on the fourth delivery. The Sri Lanka pacer conceded only five runs in it, finishing with figures of 2 for 42. 

PAK 203-5 (19)

18.1 – Sahibzada Farhan slams his second century in 59 balls! This is the second one for him in the T20 World Cup 2026! The Pakistan opener has scripted a huge world record, becoming the first-ever batter to smash two tons in a single edition. He scored an unbeaten 100 against Namibia and has now reached triple figures against Sri Lanka.

A misfield at deep backward square leg but that helps Sri Lanka earn a wicket. Shadab Khan played the Dushmantha Chameera delivery and tried to steal a couple on a fumble from Dilshan Madhushanka. A good recovery from the fielder and a rocket throw caught Shadab short of his crease. 

Shadab Khan run out (Dilshan Madushanka/Kamil Mishara) 7(5)

PAK 198-3 (18)

Khawaja Nafay is GONE! The new batter tried to go hard but perished in the process. He got across and slammed the Dilshan Madushanka delivery into the hands of the fielder at long-on. Pakistan are two down.

Khawaja Nafay c Charith Asalanka b Dilshan Madushanka 2(3)

PAK 179-2 (16.3)

WICKET! Fakhar Zaman walked across and played it on his stumps. This is the first wicket for Sri Lanka after a lot of thrashing by the Pakistan openers. Dushmantha Chameera provides the crucial breakthrough.

 Fakhar Zaman b Dushmantha Chameera 84(42)

PAK 176-1 (15.5)

Oh dear! Would you believe it? Sri Lanka have dropped a sitter at long-on. It was a short-of-length ball and Sahibzada Farhan pulled it to the left of the fielder. Wellalage was the man there. He got to the ball but failed to take the catch.

PAK 163-0 (15)

Pakistan have 150 runs on the board with still six overs left in their innings. This is some partnership by the duo of Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman. They have given the Pakistan team and their fans some hope.

PAK 150-0 (14)

After an economical five-run over, Pakistan have gone break free, scoring 29 in the next two. Maheesh Theekshana gave 11 in his final over, ending with figures of 0/35. Sri Lanka are yet to get the first breakthrough! What a sensational piece of batting this from Pakistan!

PAK 136-0 (13)

Fakhar Zaman slams his fifty in 27 balls! He gets there with a four on the leg side. This has been a sensational knock from the southpaw. He got a promotion in the batting order and has capitalised on it beautifully. Has this been too late for Pakistan to give him this chance?

PAK 118-0 (11.4)

Brilliant bowling from Maheesh Theekshana! He conceded only five runs in his third over despite both Pakistan openers firing on all cylinders. Nine more overs in the innings. Pakistan should comfortably go past 200.

PAK 107-0 (11)

This has been a proper onslaught from Pakistan! This wicket is a belter, and they are making the most of it. Both Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman are playing superbly, with a perfect mix of power and class. The Sri Lankan bowlers have been outplayed so far.

PAK 102-0 (10)

8.1 - Sahibzada Farhan races to his fifty in 32 balls! This is yet another superb knock from the Pakistan opener. He has been the silver lining of Pakistan's otherwise below-par campaign in the tournament.

That is a really good cut shot from Sahibzada Farhan for a four! He got onto the backfoot and cut it away from there, finding a gap through the backward point for the boundary. He retains the strike with a single. Seven came off this over from Dunith Wellalage.

PAK 78-0 (8)

Only seven runs came off Maheesh Theekshana's second over. He was expensive in his first one, but remains economical this time. Pakistan should aim to capitalize this start and go hard on Sri Lankan bowlers. To make their win worth, they need to register it with a margin of 65 or more.

PAK 71-0 (7)

Sahibzada Farhan has broken Virat Kohli's record for the most runs in a single T20 World Cup. The Indian batter held the record previously with 319 runs in 6 matches. Farhan went past Kohli with a four at the start of the sixth over.

This has been a stunning start for Pakistan! They have scored 64 in the Powerplay without losing a wicket. Sahibzada Farhan is batting on 40 off 25, while Fakhar Zaman is on 23 off 11.

PAK 64-0 (6)

13 came off the over from Dushmantha Chameera. Pakistan have crossed the 50-run mark. They are firing on all cylinders through the opening pair of Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman. The side has one over remaining in the Powerplay.

PAK 51-0 (5)

12 runs came off the fourth over that was bowled by Maheesh Theekshana, and now Dushmantha Chameera has been smashed for a six and a four on the first two deliveries of this over. Pakistan have put their foot on the accelerator pedal.

PAK 48-0 (4.2)

Sahibzada Farhan smashed Dilshan Madushanka for a four and followed it up with a six in the over. He, however, played four dot balls in total and failed to maximize. A total of 10 came off the over.

PAK 26-0 (3)

That is a good shot from Sahibzada Farhan! Dushmantha Chameera bowls a slower delivery and Farhan waits on the back foot. He plays it on the rise, punching the ball through backward point for four. He then takes a single to retain strike.

PAK 16-0 (2)

First boundary of the Pakistan innings! Fakhar Zaman jumps out of his crease and smashes the ball with the inside half of his bat. He manages to find the gap as the ball races to deep mid-wicket for four. A dot ball follows. Seven runs come off the first over.

PAK 7-0 (1)

Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka begins with a fuller ball, swinging into Sahibzada Farhan. The right-handed batter plays it in front of short mid-wicket. The action is underway in Pallekele.

Fakhar Zaman joins Sahibzada Farhan in opening as Pakistan have dropped Saim Ayub for this game. Can the duo provide the side a flying start? The side needs to do something miraculous tonight to enter the semi-finals.

Pakistan have roped in Khawaja Nafay, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed while dropping Saim Ayub, Babar Azam and Salman Mirza. On the other hand, Sri Lanka have included Janith Liyanage and Kamil Mishara for Dushan Hemantha and Kusal Mendis.

Pakistan (Playing XI): 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 (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka.

"It’s a massive opportunity. We just need to play a perfect game, bowl well, bat well, and field well, and I think everything will be fine. Yeah, we would have bowled first definitely, but there is no way we can do that while batting. So you just need to put up a good total and try to restrict them. It’s a mix, (knowing the calculations) to be very honest. Sometimes it can be tough and sometimes it’s easy. You have the freedom to go and just play shots or you know what you need to do. But yeah, it’s a mixed kind of a thing. We’ll just try to play a perfect game and I think the rest will be fine," said Pakistan captain Salman Agha.

"We gonna bowl first. It is a good pitch and later on there might be dew as well. We got some good players in our lineup and of course, we need to do our basics right. So yeah, we didn’t do the basics well enough to pull out a win in the last two games. But here, we know we need to make it right in all three departments. They (the fans) still always love us regardless of whether we win or lose, so it’s good motivation, I think. Thank you very much for all the fans here. So yeah, we are looking forward to the game. Two changes. Kamil Mishara comes in for Kusal Mendis, he pulled out with the injury, and Dushan Hemantha out, Janith (Liyanage) comes in," said Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka.

Sri Lanka have won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan in their T20 World Cup Super Eight match tonight.

As per NDTV sources, Pakistan have dropped Babar Azam for the game tonight. He has failed to make an impact with the bat in the tournament. The player was even demoted in the batting order at one point during the event.

For Sri Lanka, it will be imperative to give their passionate fans a win in their final appearance in the tournament. The last time Sri Lanka were co-hosts, they finished as runners-up in 2011. Dasun Shanaka’s side began impressively and almost added their name among the title favourites when they pulverised Australia in the group stage. But since that win, Sri Lanka have lost three games on the trot — against Zimbabwe, England and New Zealand — to fizzle out. Already eliminated from the tournament, the Lankans will play this game for pride.

While skipper Salman Agha (44 runs), Saim Ayub (70) and star batter Babar Azam (91) have only disappointed, Pakistan will have their hopes pinned on the dangerous Fakhar Zaman to deliver the goods. Usman Tariq’s 10 wickets have offered Pakistan some hope in the bowling department, along with Shaheen Shah Afridi showing signs of form against England, albeit in a game he could not turn around on his own.

Sahibzada Farhan stands head and shoulders above the rest with 283 runs at 70.75, including one century and two fifties, at a strike rate of 158.10. But beyond him, no other specialist batter in the Pakistan camp has crossed three figures in this T20 World Cup. Notably, Farhan is also the top run-scorer in the ongoing edition.

It would be a big ask for Pakistan’s batters and bowlers to put together a clinical show tonight, having largely misfired in the tournament. They lost to India by a 61-run margin in the first round, and suffered a two-wicket defeat at the hands of England in Super Eight.

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

Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), 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.

As per AccuWeather, there will be no rain during the game between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Pallekele tonight. Check weather forecast here -

With the loss to England, New Zealand ended their Super Eight campaign with three points (from three matches) to their credit, with a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +1.390. Now, either they or Pakistan could make it to the semi-finals.

Pakistan — who have one point with an NRR of -0.461 (from two matches) and a game left to play tonight — not only need to win the clash against Sri Lanka, but also need to secure the victory within the required margin to enter the knockouts.

Pakistan lived to fight another day at the T20 World Cup 2026, and they must thank England for that. The Three Lions defeated New Zealand on Friday night to keep the Salman Agha-led side in the semi-final contention.

Pakistan need to win this game against Sri Lanka by 65 runs or more, or complete the chase in 13 overs — depending on whether they bat first or second — to enter the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026. If they fail to do so, New Zealand will join England as the second team from Group 2 to enter the knockouts.

Hello everyone, welcome to the live blog of Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, the T20 World Cup Super Eight game at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele. This is a must-win contest for the Salman Agha-led side. Stay connected for live scores and updates.