Why Babar Azam is Not Playing Today in SL vs PAK T20 World Cup Match 2026?

In a do-or-die clash, Pakistan will face the co-hosts Sri Lanka on February 28 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, with the crucial match starting at 7 PM IST. Ahead of the game, the toss was won by Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka, and they invited Pakistan to bat first. For the Men in Green, qualifying for the semi-finals involves some complex calculations, making every run and wicket crucial.

Ahead of this important game, Pakistan made a surprising change to their playing XI, as their most senior batter, Babar Azam, has been dropped, a decision that caught everyone’s attention.

Why Babar Azam Is Not Playing Today Against Sri Lanka?

One of the batsmen in the world, Babar Azam, has been dropped for the SL vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026. Captain Salman Agha stated no reasons as he announced their three changes ahead of the crucial game. Pakistan have brought in Khawaja Nafay as Babar Azam replacement. Interestingly, Pakistan have opted for two additional bowling options in this game, as they need to defend the total they posted in the first innings. Babar Azam’s form has not been impressive in this tournament, so this decision was somewhat expected given the team’s situation.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s playing XI looks well-balanced, with Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman set to open the innings. On the bowling front, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah will lead the attack in the powerplay. Both are experienced pacers capable of turning the match in Pakistan’s favour. Notably, Shaheen also claimed three wickets in the previous game, further boosting the team’s confidence.

How Can Pakistan Qualify for Semifinals?

Pakistan have won just one match so far, with another game being washed out due to rain. As a result, they are level on points with New Zealand, who lost their previous match against England. According to the qualification scenario, Pakistan must win this match by 60 runs or more to secure a place in the semi-finals.

Batting first, Pakistan posted a strong total of 212 runs. This means they need to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 runs or fewer to qualify. If they manage to advance, they will face South Africa in the knockout stage. The Proteas are unbeaten in the tournament and have been in outstanding form, boasting a well-balanced side that makes them a formidable opponent.