Why is Babar Azam not playing today in PAK vs SL Super 8 T20 World Cup 2026 clash?

In a must-win situation, Pakistan has taken a massive decision by putting Babar Azam in their playing XI. On Saturday (February 28), Pakistan lock horns with Sri Lanka. For Sri Lanka, it is a prestige fight, but for Pakistan, the clash is shaped to test their mettle. 

For a must-win match, it was expected to see a star-studded Playing eleven under the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha. In reality, they formed their team without Babar Azam and all-rounder Saim Ayub. 

Why did the Pakistan team management exclude Babar, the leading run scorer in the T20I format? It is believed that, because of his low strike rate, the management decided to put him on the sidelines. On a previous occasion of the T20 World Cup 2026, the head coach of the Pakistan cricket team, Mike Hesson, strongly criticized the star batter for his tendency to rotate the run wheel at a slow pace, which is not suitable for the format. 

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In today’s match, Pakistan went to bat first after losing the toss to Sri Lanka. It will be interesting to see how the team performs without the star batter. To earn a win against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Agha and his team will try to score as many runs as possible.  

Playing XIs:

Pakistan (Playing XI): Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

Sri 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