Sri Lanka vs Pakistan T20 match: Hasaranga, Pathirana out

Sri Lanka go into their T20 against Pakistan missing two of their most important players in this format: Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana. Without them, they don’t just lose ability, they lose what they’d planned for the middle and final two overs.

Pakistan aren’t in a great position either. Having had a Super 8 start stopped by rain and a tight loss to England, this game in Pallekele on Saturday, February 28 is about deciding on the team and having the composure to play under lights. In India, the game will be on Star Sports and can be streamed on JioHotstar.

For fans in India, Pathirana not playing is a particularly big loss. Those who watch the Chennai Super Kings know how difficult his fast, slinging action and late yorkers make chasing a score when it’s getting close.

Here’s the newest information about the teams, what the players coming in will change, and the likely starting XIs – all set out for a fast look at before the first ball is bowled.

Team news and replacements

Sri Lanka won’t have Hasaranga’s all-round leg-spin or Pathirana’s job as a bowler at the end of the innings. The team has already brought in players to take their places, but “like-for-like” in T20 doesn’t usually work out when there’s pressure.

Out

• Wanindu Hasaranga (pulled hamstring)
• Matheesha Pathirana (strain to left-leg muscle)

In

• Dushan Hemantha (to replace Hasaranga)
• Dilshan Madushanka (to replace Pathirana)

Hemantha gives Sri Lanka another leg-spin bowler and cover for the batting in the lower order. Madushanka is a different sort of danger to Pathirana: a left-arm angle, movement with the new ball, and then pace-off options if the ball gets wet.

The main problem isn’t the team list. It’s who will bowl their overs, play their roles, and keep calm when the innings changes.

What Sri Lanka lose without Hasaranga

Hasaranga controls a phase of the game. Captains use him to end partnerships and cut down the risk in overs 7-14 – the period when chases are usually built.

Without him, Sri Lanka’s spin attack relies more on Maheesh Theekshana for control at the start, and Dunith Wellalage for when players are matched up against each other. That’s a good base, but Hasaranga’s ability to take wickets in the middle is what’s missing, and Pakistan’s batsmen will notice that.

Babar Azam and Salman Agha are happy to take singles, guard their stumps, and wait for a final push. Sri Lanka need wickets in that middle part of the innings or they’ll end up defending against batsmen who are already settled in a chase where dew will be a factor.

Life after Pathirana and death overs

Pathirana not being there isn’t a small thing. Sri Lanka lose a special plan for overs 18 and 20 – the hardest overs to bowl in modern T20.

Now the end of the innings looks like a group effort:

• Dushmantha Chameera for pace and hard lengths
• Dilshan Madushanka for a left-arm angle and cutters
• A spell from Theekshana if Pakistan have a lot of right-handed batsmen

Sri Lanka can support that plan by playing another fast bowler like Pramod Madushan. If they don’t, Shanaka will have to turn to spin through risky overs and hope the pitch grips.

Pakistan team balance and bowling options

Pakistan’s main players are stable: a top order based around Babar, a pair of all-round spin bowlers in Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, and Shaheen Afridi leading the pace attack.

The question for this Sri Lanka versus Pakistan T20 is the final balance. Pallekele can be fast and flat at night, which would suit an extra fast bowler like Naseem Shah. It could just as easily become a game of “bowl your lengths, put the ball into the pitch” where clever bowling wins, and that keeps Usman Tariq and a spin-heavy XI as options.

Pakistan have depended on Shaheen’s quick spells throughout this tournament, and he showed how good he is with a four-wicket spell against England even in a lost match. If they add Naseem, they get another bowler who bowls hard lengths and doesn’t depend on swing.

The trade-off is batting strength. A spin-heavy XI often gives Pakistan longer batting because Shadab and Nawaz do many jobs, and Faheem Ashraf can be the player they bring in if they want pace and runs.

Recent form and Super 8 context

Sri Lanka have played their two Super 8 games as if they’re looking for their best form. England held them to 95 all out, and New Zealand held them to 107/8, which tells you the batting has had trouble building a good innings once early wickets have fallen.

The bowling has had good moments. Theekshana has created pressure, Wellalage has offered control, and Chameera has looked like the best chance for wickets with the harder ball.

Pakistan’s build-up to the Sri Lanka versus Pakistan T20 has been affected by starting and stopping. Their opener against New Zealand was stopped by rain, and then they just fell short against England in a chase which kept changing.

The pieces are all there, but the innings have lacked one calm, strong period of 10 overs. That’s why this match matters so much to them: a win will give them confidence before the last round of the group decides everything. How Pallekele plays under lights

How Pallekele plays under lights

Pallekele often favours bowlers who make the ball move, and let it. Seamers might get a little movement in the first couple of overs – enough to make the powerplay a real battle, not a run-fest.

As it gets darker, dew can make the ball like soap, and this Sri Lanka against Pakistan T20 match could well become that way. Cutters won’t hold, and spin bowlers will need to bowl a bit quicker to get the length they want.

Because of this, the two captains will be most concerned with the opening six overs, with the new ball, and the final five overs, with the wet ball. If you win both of those sections, you’ll win the great majority of T20 games at the venue.

The game’s turning points

This match is likely to be decided by small sections, rather than the whole game.

1. Shaheen Afridi against Sri Lanka’s top batting order Sri Lanka’s best chance is a solid powerplay – Pathum Nissanka, and one other batter, both at a good pace. Shaheen will aim for early wickets, bowling full and angling the ball towards the pads.

1. Theekshana against Babar and Salman Agha With Hasaranga missing, Theekshana has to both hold things back and take wickets. Pakistan will try to play him late, and run between the wickets to stop his over becoming a series of dot balls.
2. Pakistan’s two spin bowlers against Shanaka’s finishing If Nawaz and Shadab can keep the ball away from Shanaka’s preferred straight hitting zone, Sri Lanka’s final overs could slow up. That is when scores which look “okay” at 15 overs begin to seem low.

Team choices and likely XIs

Team choices: one change to each side that seems sensible

Sri Lanka’s main choice is still at the very top of the order. If they think the game will be decided in the powerplay, Kusal Perera is an interesting option – an attacking left-hander who might create problems for Shaheen and the off-spinners.

The other Sri Lanka choice is about the bowling. If they expect the ball to be wet, they might want a third fast bowler and drop one spinner; Pramod Madushan would come into the team, and give Shanaka more “safe” overs at the end.

For Pakistan, the choice is simple: protect against a bad powerplay. Adding Naseem gives extra speed, and lowers the risk of Shaheen having a poor night and the attack being one bowler short.

Keeping Salman Mirza and Usman Tariq in the team gives variety, but means one of them must bowl well at the end with the wet ball.

Likely XIs

Sri Lanka have been searching for the right batting order in the Super 8, so one change isn’t impossible. Pakistan’s team depends on if they want a second fast bowler who bowls at full speed.

Sri Lanka predicted XI

• Pathum Nissanka
• Kusal Mendis (wk)
• Charith Asalanka
• Pavan Rathnayake
• Kamindu Mendis
• Dasun Shanaka (c)
• Dunith Wellalage
• Dushan Hemantha
• Dushmantha Chameera
• Maheesh Theekshana
• Dilshan Madushanka

Sri Lanka to watch

• Kusal Perera, or Kamil Mishara, could come in if Sri Lanka want a more aggressive powerplay.
• Pramod Madushan is the direct change if they want a third seamer.

Pakistan predicted XI

• Sahibzada Farhan
• Saim Ayub
• Babar Azam
• Salman Agha (c)
• Fakhar Zaman
• Usman Khan (wk)
• Shadab Khan
• Mohammad Nawaz
• Shaheen Afridi
• Usman Tariq
• Naseem Shah

Pakistan to watch

• Salman Mirza stays in if Pakistan want a left-arm pace option, and keep Naseem in reserve.
• Faheem Ashraf is the safety choice if Pakistan want more batting.

Fantasy note for Indian viewers

For fantasy teams in this Sri Lanka vs Pakistan T20 match, focus on roles: top-order batters, four-over bowlers, and at least one player who can be relied upon at the end.

Safer picks look like Nissanka, Babar, and Nawaz. Higher-risk options include Theekshana for powerplay wickets, Shaheen for early strikes, and Wellalage if the pitch grips.

Main points

• Hasaranga and Pathirana are out, and Sri Lanka have added Dushan Hemantha and Dilshan Madushanka to deal with spin control and the work needed in the final overs.
• Sri Lanka’s Super 8 batting has been very poor (95 all out and 107/8), so they need a solid powerplay plus wickets in the middle of the innings.
• Pakistan’s team choice is about pace versus spin, with Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, and Faheem Ashraf competing for one or two places.
• The final overs are the deciding part: without Pathirana, Sri Lanka need Chameera and Madushanka to bowl very accurate overs against Pakistan’s finishers.
• Head-to-head records favour Pakistan, but early wickets can change a T20 match very quickly.

Summary

This Sri Lanka vs Pakistan T20 match is really about what players do. Sri Lanka need to give two of the hardest jobs in T20 cricket to new players, and Pakistan need to pick a team that lets them be attacking without losing control.

If Sri Lanka can get Nissanka and one of the middle-order batters going, they might push Pakistan into a difficult chase. If Pakistan get early wickets and keep their spin overs tight, they’ll be confident of finishing the job under the lights at Pallekele.