PALLEKELE: Pakistan will be needing a huge win to qualify for the T20 World Cup semi-finals when they meet struggling hosts Sri Lanka in the final Super Eights fixture here on Saturday.
Despite losing to England in their last fixture of the round after their game against New Zealand was washed out earlier, Salman Ali Agha’s men got a window of opportunity to make the final four when England edged New Zealand in a thriller on Friday.
The result left New Zealand with four points, with England already through with six.
A win for Pakistan against Sri Lanka would bring them equal on points with New Zealand, and the Green Shirts would need to win by 65 runs or chase the target in 13 overs or less if they bat second.
Pakistan pacer Salman Mirza vowed on Friday that the team will finish the Super Eights with a flourish against already-eliminated Sri Lanka, as he spoke before England’s win over New Zealand.
“It’s a critical situation as reaching the semi-final is not in our control,” Salman told reporters “But if we reach the semi-final we have the capability to do better,” Mirza said.
Pakistan’s campaign started on a nervy note with a three-wicket win in a thrilling last-over finish against the Netherlands before overcoming the United States and Namibia.
In between they lost heavily to India in a highly anticipated clash in Colombo.
Pakistan’s first Super Eight match against New Zealand was washed out in Colombo before they lost to England and Harry Brook’s sparkling century in Kandy on Tuesday.
“We needed to win the match against England and that defeat has given us this position,” said Mirza.
After Brook was dismissed near the end of England’s run chase, Pakistan hit back with two wickets in the penultimate over.
Mirza bowled the final over with three runs to defend and two wickets to take for victory but Jofra Archer hit the first ball for four.
“I had the opportunity to become a hero in the final over, but I couldn’t grab that one,” said Mirza. “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.”
However, it would be a big ask for Pakistan’s batters and bowlers to put together a clinical show, having largely misfired in the tournament.
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.
All-rounder Shadab Khan, whose role in the side has sparked a heated debate between two prominent former cricketers, has the second-best tally with 111 runs.
While skipper Salman (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.
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 had finished as runner-up in 2011.
Dasun Shanaka’s side began impressively and almost added their name among 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.
Sri Lanka’s spin bowling coach, Rene Ferdinands insisted that the team will give their all and aim to finish their campaign on a winning note.
“We want to try to win it. We know that Pakistan is a good opposition. We respect them. But in every sense, we want to try to win. There’s never been any other question. So, we’re always looking to bounce back. And we’re preparing in that vein,” Ferdinands said.
The spin bowling coach praised the team’s spinners who have been instrumental in Sri Lanka’s run in the tournament. The trio of Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dunith Wellalage have collectively claimed 25 wickets so far in the tournament.
“The spinners have performed well. And so, we were happy with that particular area of our game. Even in the last game (against New Zealand), you can see that they were performing very well. It was just the last bit of the bowling that was an issue. But yeah, they are not falling short of any of the competition.”
Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2026
