Sri Lanka and Pakistan meet in the final Super 8 Group 2 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on February 28. Both teams have already been knocked out of semi-final contention, but pride and finish position remain on the line.
Sri Lanka, led by Dasun Shanaka, are playing their home final in what will be an emotional send-off for the home crowd. Pakistan, captained by Salman Ali Agha, arrive with a point from their rain-hit draw against New Zealand and a loss to England.
Sahibzada Farhan’s century in the group stage gave Pakistan hope, but it was not enough to carry them through. Sri Lanka enter without two key players, Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana, both unavailable due to injury. This is a match between two teams with nothing to lose and everything to prove.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Match Preview
This Group 2 Super 8 match is the last game for both sides in the tournament. Sri Lanka sit at the bottom of the table with zero points after losses to England by 51 runs and to New Zealand by 61 runs. Pakistan have one point from the rain-hit washout against New Zealand and a close loss to England, where Harry Brook’s century snatched victory. A win here would give Pakistan three points and allow them to finish above Sri Lanka, though it will not affect semi-final outcomes. Sri Lanka will enjoy the home crowd in Kandy and will want to end their campaign on a positive note in front of their supporters.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup 50th Match |
| Date | 28 February 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM IST / 7:00 PM local / 1:30 PM GMT |
| Venue | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Series | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Context | Super 8 Group 2 final match; both teams eliminated from semis |
Pitch Report
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy offers a balanced surface that rewards both batters and bowlers at different stages of the game. Early in the innings, the pitch carries good pace and bounce, which helps openers play their shots freely. Seamers can also find some swing with the new ball, especially if there is moisture in the surface after rain in the days before.
As the match goes on, the track slows down and becomes stickier. Spinners come into play in the middle overs and can make stroke-making very difficult. In this tournament, Pallekele has played two-paced cricket well, with England bowling out Sri Lanka for just 95 on this surface. An average first-innings score of 165 to 170 applies here, but setting a total early and defending it remains the preferred path at this venue.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Balanced; batter-friendly early, slows for spinners later |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 165-170 in T20Is |
| Pace vs Spin | Pace helpful early; spinners dominant in middle overs |
| Toss Factor | Batting first holds slight advantage as pitch deteriorates |
| Boundary Size | 35,000-capacity stadium, standard outfield dimensions |
Weather Report
Kandy in late February can be unpredictable, with mountain showers a regular threat in this hill-country city. For this evening match, temperatures are expected to hover around 24 to 27 degrees Celsius. Humidity will be high, around 75 to 80 per cent, which can make conditions feel heavy for players. There is a chance of brief showers during the match, though a complete washout looks unlikely based on current forecasts. Dew will build through the second innings, which could affect bowling grip for spinners in the closing overs.
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24-27°C during match |
| Sky | Partly cloudy; increasing cloud cover possible after sunset |
| Rain Chance | Some chance of brief showers; interruptions possible |
| Humidity | Around 75-80% |
| Overall | Humid conditions; dew likely to be a factor in second innings |
Toss Prediction
Batting first has worked well at Pallekele in this tournament. The pitch starts true and allows batters to play through the line, while the second innings can become much harder to navigate as the surface deteriorates. However, with dew expected in the evening, the captain winning the toss faces a genuine dilemma. Sri Lanka’s spin-heavy attack would benefit from having runs to defend, while Pakistan’s pace options gain more from bowling later when the ball gets softer. On balance, expect the toss winner to bat first and try to post a score above 165.
Injury Updates
Sri Lanka: The hosts come into this match with two significant absences. Wanindu Hasaranga, their best all-round option and a key wicket-taker, is unavailable for this match. Matheesha Pathirana, the right-arm quick who bowls those distinctive slingy deliveries, is also ruled out with an injury.
Pakistan: Salman Agha’s squad has no fresh injury concerns ahead of this game.
Dream11 Team For Sri Lanka vs Pakistan
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Head-to-Head Records in T20Is
Pakistan hold a clear edge over Sri Lanka in T20I cricket. The two sides have met 24 times in the format, with Pakistan winning 14 of those matches. Sri Lanka have claimed 10 wins. In T20 World Cup history, Pakistan famously beat Sri Lanka in the 2009 final at Lord’s to lift their maiden title. The rivalry has remained competitive over the years, with both teams capable of winning on their day, especially in Asian conditions where spin plays a major role.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total T20I Matches | 24 |
| Pakistan Wins | 14 |
| Sri Lanka Wins | 10 |
Last Five T20I Meetings
- Sri Lanka won by 14 runs 11-Jan-2026
- Match abandoned without a ball bowled 09-Jan-2026
- Pakistan won by 6 wickets (with 20 balls remaining) 07-Jan-2026
- Pakistan won by 6 wickets (with 8 balls remaining) 29-Nov-2025
- Sri Lanka won by 6 runs 27-Nov-2025
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Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Team | Role | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | SL | Opener | Most consistent SL batter; 208 runs in the tournament; knows Pallekele well |
| Kusal Mendis | SL | Wicketkeeper | Three half-centuries in this tournament; dangerous in the middle order |
| Maheesh Theekshana | SL | Spinner | 8 wickets in series; leads SL spin attack in absence of Hasaranga |
| Dunith Wellalage | SL | Spinner | 7 wickets; left-arm spin a big weapon on slow Pallekele track |
| Sahibzada Farhan | PAK | Opener | Scored Pakistan’s only century of this tournament; in outstanding touch |
| Babar Azam | PAK | Batter | World-class batter looking to find his best form in the last group game |
| Usman Tariq | PAK | Spinner | 10 wickets in the tournament; dangerous mystery spinner on this surface |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | PAK | Bowler | 7 wickets; lethal with new ball in powerplay at Pallekele |
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