Why Dushan Hemantha is Not Playing Today in SL vs PAK T20 World Cup Match 2026?

Sri Lanka will face Pakistan in their Super 8 clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on February 28 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Winning the toss in this crucial encounter, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first. Although the hosts are already out of the tournament, they still have the power to knock Pakistan out of contention. At the toss, captain Dasun Shanaka confirmed that all-rounder Dushan Hemantha had been left out of the playing XI for this match, a decision that has drawn attention ahead of the high-stakes game.

Why Dushan Hemantha is Not Playing Today Against Pakistan?

Sri Lanka’s all-rounder Dushan Hemantha has been dropped from the playing XI ahead of the SL vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026. In five matches, he took six wickets, but no specific reason was given by the captain for his omission. Janith Liyanage has been named as Dushan Hemantha replacement and will make his tournament debut in this game.

While the match may not be crucial for Sri Lanka’s own qualification, they still have the power to eliminate Pakistan from the competition, which adds significant pressure on Liyanage in his first outing. Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka had stated in the press conference after their previous match that the team would look to play quality cricket against Pakistan. Fans will be keenly watching this clash to see how both sides handle the high-pressure situation.

How Was Sri Lanka's Performance in T20 World Cup 2026?

Sri Lanka, the co-hosts of the T20 World Cup 2026, played impressive cricket during the group stage. They secured a notable win over Australia and finished second on the points table. Although they lost their final group match to Zimbabwe, they still progressed to the Super 8 stage.

However, their campaign took a downturn in the Super 8. Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 95 runs against England in their opening match, which dented their confidence. The slump continued as they suffered another defeat against one of the best cricket teams in the world, New Zealand, resulting in their elimination from the tournament. Their openers struggled to provide solid starts in the Super 8, and the bowlers also failed to make a significant impact. Overall, the loss to Zimbabwe seemed to affect their momentum, and they were unable to recover in time to qualify for the semi-finals.