The ICC Men's T20 World Cup action continues as Sri Lanka hosts Pakistan in a high stakes encounter at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Both teams are looking to stabilize their momentum, but Pakistan holds a historical edge. With key players like Pathum Nissanka and Sahibzada Farhan in excellent touch, this match offers great potential for fantasy contests. Fantasy users should note the venue's tendency to favor spin, making team selection critical for your major leagues.
Match Details
- Match: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan
- Date: 28 Feb 2026
- Time: 07:00 PM IST (19:00 Local Time)
- Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Live Streaming & Broadcast Details
Fans can watch the action live on Star Sports Network and stream it via the Disney+ Hotstar app and website.
Fans can check the country wise official live streaming and TV broadcast details for this match. To know where you can watch live streaming in your country, visit this complete guide: [ICC Men’s World Cup 2026 Live Streaming Channels – Country wise Guide](https://www.ai11.in/blogs/icc mens-world cup-2026-live streaming-channels)
Weather Report
The weather in Kandy is expected to be partly cloudy with temperatures around 25°C. Humidity will be high, which introduces the dew factor in the second innings. While there is a slight chance of evening showers, we expect a full game without significant rain impact.
Pitch Report & Venue Stats
The surface at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is generally balanced but has shown a strong inclination towards spin recently. In the last 5 matches, spinners have taken 39 wickets compared to just 27 by pacers. The average score of 149 suggests that batsmen will need to apply themselves before playing big shots.
Fantasy Takeaway: Load your fantasy teams with quality spinners and technical batters who can rotate the strike. Death over pacers are still valuable for the first innings.
Team Form & Head to-Head
Sri Lanka
- Last 5 Matches: L L W W W
- Form: After a strong winning streak, they have lost their last two games, struggling with batting collapses.
- H2H: They have won 12 matches against Pakistan historically.
Pakistan
- Last 5 Matches: L W L W W
- Form: A mixed bag of results, but their batting unit has posted high totals recently.
- H2H: They dominate this rivalry with 25 wins.
Injury Updates & Player Availability
- Sri Lanka: Major blow as star all rounder Wanindu Hasaranga and pacer Matheesha Pathirana are marked as UNAVAILABLE for this match. Eshan Malinga is also out.
- Pakistan: Most key players are available. Naseem Shah did not play the last game but might return if fit.
Probable Playing XI
Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka
Pakistan
Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Tariq, Salman Mirza
Key Players to Watch
- Sahibzada Farhan: He is in the form of his life, scoring 283 runs in the series with a massive average of 113.8 fantasy points. He is a top captaincy candidate.
- Pathum Nissanka: The most consistent batter for the hosts, accumulating 208 runs in the series. He knows the Pallekele conditions well.
- Usman Tariq: With 10 wickets in the series and an average of 102.5 points, he is a lethal option on this spin friendly track.
- Maheesh Theekshana: In the absence of Hasaranga, he leads the spin attack. He has 8 wickets in the series and will be crucial in the middle overs.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi: Always a threat with the new ball, he has picked up 7 wickets and provides guaranteed points in the powerplay.
Fantasy Picks
Small League Safe Picks
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Pathum Nissanka
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Maheesh Theekshana
Mega League Differential Picks
- Dunith Wellalage: With the pitch favoring turn, his left arm spin could be a game changer. He has 7 wickets in the series.
- Saim Ayub: Offers value with both bat and ball. His selection percentage might fluctuate, making him a good risk for high rewards.
Match Prediction / Outlook
While Sri Lanka has the home advantage, the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga weakens their bowling significantly. Pakistan boasts a deeper batting lineup and a spin attack suited for these conditions. Pakistan starts as the favorites to win this T20 encounter.
Disclaimer
This analysis is based on statistics and current form. Always check the Final Playing XI and Toss updates before locking your fantasy team.