T20 World Cup 2026: Why is Babar Azam not playing in PAK vs SL, Match 50?

Pakistan are playing against the hosts Sri Lanka in Match No. 50 of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Saturday, February 28. 

This is a must-win encounter for the Men in Green to keep their semi-final hopes alive in this tournament. On the other hand, the Lankan Lions are already out of the competition after a disappointing run in the Super Eights. Pakistan has to win this contest with a handsome margin of at least 65 runs to have a chance to qualify with a better NRR. 

Toss Update 

Sri Lanka’s captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy and opted to field first. He said that there is a possibility of dew coming in later on, and hence it is ideal for the co-hosts to chase the target.

Why is Babar Azam missing from Pakistan's Playing XI vs Sri Lanka?

The Pakistani side has made a huge change in this must-win encounter versus Sri Lanka, as they have dropped their former captain and star batter Babar Azam. Their captain, Salman Ali Agha, did not mention any particular reason to drop Babar, which hints that benching the experienced batter was a tactical move, as Pakistan want to better their net run-rate. The Men in Green have made three changes to their playing XI for this encounter, with Khawaja Nafay replacing Babar in the line-up. 

PAK vs SL, Match 50 — What did the captains say?

Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan's captain, said 

It’s a massive opportunity. We just need to play a perfect game, bowl well, bat well, and field well, and I think everything will be fine. Yeah, we would have bowled first definitely, but there is no way we can do that while batting. So you just need to put up a good total and try to restrict them. It’s a mix, (knowing the calculations) to be very honest. Sometimes it can be tough and sometimes it’s easy. You have the freedom to go and just play shots or you know what you need to do. But yeah, it’s a mixed kind of a thing.

We’ll just try to play a perfect game and I think the rest will be fine. Yeah, we got three changes. Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Salman Mirza are not playing. Naseem Shah, Khawaja Nafay, and Abrar Ahmed are playing.

Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka's captain, said,

We know we need to make it right in all three departments. They (the fans) still always love us regardless of whether we win or lose, so it’s good motivation, I think. Thank you very much for all the fans here. So yeah, we are looking forward to the game. Two changes. Kamil Mishara comes in for Kusal Mendis, he pulled out with the injury, and Dushan Hemantha out, Janith (Liyanage) comes in.

PAK vs SL, Match 50 — Playing 11s

Pakistan 

Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (captain), Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

Sri Lanka 

Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara(w), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka(c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka