Babar Azam (PTI Photo/R Senthil Kumar) NEW DELHI: Pakistan made a big call for their must-win Super 8 match against Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as Babar Azam was left out of the playing XI.At the toss, captain Salman Agha confirmed three changes to the side.
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“Huge opportunity. We need to bat well, mix well and field well and everything will be fine. We need to put up a good total and try to restrict them. Sometimes it can be difficult and sometimes it can be easy, it’s a mixed feeling knowing what we have to do. We have three changes. Babar, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza are not playing,” Salman said at the toss.Babar’s dismissal appears to be related to form. In six matches so far, he has scored just 91 runs at an average of 22.75 and a strike rate of 112.34, figures well below expectations for a player of his stature.Pakistan’s qualifying scenario is now simple but challenging. The Group 2 table has shifted dramatically after England beat New Zealand in Colombo. England finished unbeaten with six points from three games to seal top spot. New Zealand are second with three points and a strong net rate of +1.390.Pakistan are third with one point from two matches and a net rate of -0.461. To qualify, they need to beat Sri Lanka by 64 runs to increase their run net enough to overtake New Zealand.With their World Cup hopes at stake, Pakistan took a bold step by dropping their star batter in a do-or-die encounter.Pakistan (PlayingSri 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
