Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Pakistan have made a big call for their must-win Super 8 clash against Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as Babar Azam has been left out of the playing XI.At the toss, skipper Salman Agha confirmed three changes to the side.
“Massive opportunity. We need to bat well, bowl well and field well and everything will be fine. We need to put up a good total and try and restrict them. Sometimes it can be tough and sometimes it can be easy, it’s a mixed feeling knowing what we need to do. We got three changes. Babar, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza are not playing,” said Salman at the toss.Babar’s exclusion appears to be form-related. In six matches so far, he has scored just 91 runs at an average of 22.75 and a strike rate of 112.34, numbers well below expectations for a player of his stature.Pakistan’s qualification scenario is now simple but challenging. After England defeated New Zealand in Colombo, the Group 2 table shifted dramatically. England finished unbeaten with six points from three games and have sealed the top spot. New Zealand are second with three points and a strong net run rate of +1.390.Pakistan sit third with one point from two matches and a net run rate of -0.461. To qualify, they must beat Sri Lanka by 64 runs to boost their net run rate enough to overtake New Zealand.With their World Cup hopes on the line, Pakistan have taken a bold step by dropping their star batter in a do-or-die encounter.Pakistan (Playing XI): Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Usman TariqSri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara(w), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka(c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka
