High-voltage competition to be held in Pallekele on 28thth February at 7:00 PM IST when Sri Lanka will take on Pakistan in the fiftieth match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Both teams will compete under lights as the tournament heads towards its decisive stage.
Get the best SL vs PAK Dream11 prediction, fantasy cricket tips, probable playing XI and match information for 50.th ICC T20 World Cup 2026 match. Expert analysis and more.
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SL vs PAK Match Preview:
Redemption and survival will define the fiftieth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 when Sri Lanka take on Pakistan on Saturday, 28th February 2026. Furthermore, this final encounter of the Group 2 Super 8 will begin at 7:00 PM IST at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, where contrasting motivations will shape the contest. The Pallekele track generally encourages fluent strokeplay due to its pace and carry, while evening dew often complicates bowling plans. Therefore, the captain may prefer to chase and manage the situations with clarity under the lights.
Sri Lanka are at the bottom of the Group 2 standings with zero points from two matches and are already out of the race for the semi-finals. Pakistan, in contrast, have one point and will need a convincing win coupled with favorable results elsewhere to keep faint hopes of qualification alive. Furthermore, Sri Lanka suffered a 61-run defeat against New Zealand after being bowled out for 107 while chasing a target of 169 runs. Meanwhile, Pakistan lost to England by a narrow margin in a tough match, which increased the pressure on them in this match.
Pathum Nissanka had offered early resistance in Sri Lanka’s previous match, while Dunith Velez and Dushan Hemantha controlled the phases with the ball, before Mitchell Santner took the lead late on. On the other hand, Sahibzada Farhan opened Pakistan’s innings against England with 63 runs in 45 balls and Shaheen Shah Afridi made early breakthroughs to create pressure. Historically, Pakistan leads the rivalry 15–14 in 29 meetings, which highlights its balance. As a result, while Pakistan exudes urgency, Sri Lanka have the home familiarity and desire to end their campaign with pride.
SL vs PAK head-to-head record:
|
teams |
win the match |
|
Sri Lanka |
14 |
|
Pakistan |
15 |
Sri Lanka vs Pak Weather and Pitch Report:
|
temperature |
26°C |
|
weather forecast |
cloudy |
|
pitch behavior |
batting friendly |
|
Best suited for |
motion |
|
Average score of first innings |
160 |
Records of chasing teams:
|
record |
Good |
|
Victory % |
59% |
Sri Lanka vs Pak Playing 11 (Expected):
Sri Lanka playing 11:
1) Pathum Nissanka
2) Kusal Mendis
3) Kamindu Mendis
4) Charit Asalanka
5) Dasun Shanaka
6) Zenith Lianaz
7) Dunith Welles
8) Dushan Hemantha
9) Mahesh Dikshana
10) Dushmantha Chameera
11) Dilshan Madushanka
pakistan playing 11: :
1) Sahibzada Farhan
2) Saim Ayub
3) Babar Azam
4) Fakhar Zaman
5) Usman Khan
6) Shadab Khan
7) Mohammad Nawaz
8) Faheem Ashraf
9) Shaheen Shah Afridi
10) Osman Tariq
11) Salman Mirza
Hot Picks Dream11 Prediction and Fantasy Cricket Tips for SL vs PAK:
Captaincy Choice:
|
Kusal Mendis – Sri Lanka’s skilled right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman has scored 197 runs in 6 matches, maintaining an average of 39.40 with three consecutive half-centuries, underlining the co-hosts’ qualification push. |
|
Saim Ayub – The top-ranked T20I all-rounder and left-handed opening batsman for Pakistan has taken 63 runs and 3 wickets in 5 matches, steadying the innings at the top while gaining early edge with off-spin. |
Raises up:
|
Sahibzada Farhan – The leading right-handed opening batsman for Pakistan has scored 283 runs in 5 innings, topping the tournament charts with an unbeaten 100* off 57 balls against Namibia. |
|
Pathum Nissanka – The fluent right-handed opening batsman representing Sri Lanka has scored 208 runs in 6 matches, including a record-breaking inning of 100 off 52 balls against Australia, which set up a memorable chase and made him one of the leading run-scorers. |
Budget Selection:
|
Salman Aga – Pakistan’s influential captain and right-handed batsman, scoring 60 runs and taking 1 wicket in 5 matches, contributing valuable off-spin control during crucial stages while playing tactically under pressure. |
|
Shaheen Afridi – Pakistan’s lethal left-arm pacer has scalped 7 wickets in 5 Super 8 matches, including a brisk performance of 3/24 against England, which tore apart the top order and rekindled his team’s semi-final ambitions. |
SL vs PAK ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Captain and Vice-Captain Choices:
|
captain |
Sam Ayub and Kusal Mendis |
|
vice captain |
Pathum Nissanka and Sahibzada Farhan |
SL vs PAK Dream11 Prediction Team 1:
- Keeper – Kusal Mendis
- Batsmen – Sahibzada Farhan, Pathum Nissanka (Vice Captain), Pawan Rathnayake
- Allrounder – Shadab Khan, Kamindu Mendis, Saim Ayub ©
- Bowlers- Dushmantha Chameera, Dunit Velazquez, Mahesh Theekshana, Usman Tariq
SL vs PAK Dream11 Prediction Team 2:
- Keeper – Kusal Mendis ©
- Batsmen – Salman Ali Aga, Sahibzada Farhan (Vice Captain), Pathum Nissanka
- Allrounder – Shadab Khan, Kamindu Mendis, Saim Ayub
- Bowlers- Shaheen Shah Afridi, Dunit Velez, Mahesh Theekshana, Usman Tariq
SL vs PAK Dream11 Prediction Today Match 50 ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Players to Avoid:
|
player |
dream11 credit |
Dream11 Points (Last Match) |
|
Osman Khan |
7.0 credit |
No |
|
Dasun Shanaka |
8.5 credits |
No |
SL vs PAK Dream11 Prediction Today Match 50 ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Expert Advice:
|
sl captaincy option |
Saim Ayyub |
|
gl captaincy option |
Kusal Mendis |
|
choice of punt |
Shaheen Afridi and Salman Agha |
|
dream11 combination |
1-3-3-4 |
SL vs PAK Match Winner Prediction:
The pitch and environment at home puts Sri Lanka in a favorable position to win.