While Pakistan need a big win against the hosts Sri Lanka to secure their spot for the Semi-finals in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan openers provided a strong start, where Fakhar Zaman slammed a long six inside the crucial powerplay. 

Pakistan need to win their last Super Eights (Group 2) match by at least 65 runs, Sri Lanka chose to field first at Pallekele on Saturday night (February 28).

Watch: Fakhar Zaman slammed 94m long six to Maheesh Theekshana

Pakistani openers, Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman, provided a strong start in the game, as they scored 64/0 at the end of the powerplay. In the fourth over, Fakhar slammed a long 94-meter six after stepping out to the Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana, as the ball traveled huge distance over the long-off. 

Fakhar Zaman steps down and launches one past the long-off boundary.

Pakistan aim to make the most of the powerplay!

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup, SUPER 8, #SLvPAK | LIVE NOW ➡️ https://t.co/kkgEVdjA6Z pic.twitter.com/PZjuduM02m

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 28, 2026

Pakistan openers set new partnership record in T20 World Cup

Pakistan openers Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan slammed a 176-run partnership for the first wicket, which set a new record for the highest partnership for any wicket in the history of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. While Fakhar scored 84 off 42 balls with nine fours and four sixes, Shahibzada just recorded his second century in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Shahibzada was dismissed for 100 off 60 balls with nine fours and five sixes. 

Earlier, during the crucial must-win group stage match against Namibia, Sahibzada Farhan slammed a match-winning hundred, where they claimed a strong win to qualify for the Super Eight stage. In that game, the Pakistan opener scored 100 not out. 

After the former Caribbean cricketer Chris Gayle, Sahibzada Farhan became the second batter to hit two centuries in the history of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. However, the Pakistan opener is the first cricketer to slam more than one century in an edition of the Men's T20 World Cup. 

The India vs Zimbabwe match is a very important game in the Group 1 Super Eights of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, as it is a must-win fixture for both teams to stay strongly in the competition for the Semi-finals race, while a defeat in this game will put them at risk.  

Both India and Zimbabwe were unbeaten in the group stage of the tournament. Defending champions India won all four of their matches in the group stage, as the hosts beat the United States of America, Namibia, Pakistan (in Sri Lanka), and the Netherlands in Group A.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe were in Group B, playing all four of their group stage matches in Sri Lanka. While they defeated Oman, Australia, and the hosts Sri Lanka, their match against Ireland was washed out in the rain. 

In their first Super Eights match, hosts India suffered a 76-run defeat against South Africa, while West Indies thrashed Zimbabwe by 107 runs. 

On Thursday evening (February 26), the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk in Chennai is hosting the crucial India vs Zimbabwe match. 

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Group 1, Super Eights - IND vs ZIM: Toss Update

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and chose to bowl first. 

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Group 1, Super Eights - IND vs ZIM: Playing XIs

India made two changes in the playing XI. Sanju Samson and Axar Patel have replaced Rinku Singh and Washington Sundar. 

India playing XI

Zimbabwe made one change in the playing XI. Tinotenda Maposa comes in the playing XI as the replacement for Graeme Cremer.

Zimbabwe playing XI

Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (Captain), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Tinotenda Maposa, Blessing Muzarabani

The South Africa vs West Indies match is an important fixture in Group 1 Super Eights of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, as the winners of the match will take one step forward for the Semi-finals, while the others have to wait for the last round. 

Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is hosting this crucial fixture on Thursday afternoon. 

South Africa and the West Indies finished their group stage battle as the champions in their respective groups, as they are the only unbeaten sides in the ongoing tournament.

South Africa started the Super Eights by thrashing the defending champions and hosts India by 76 runs. 

Meanwhile, West Indies outclassed Zimbabwe in their first game of the Super Eights, as the Caribbean team won that match by 107 runs.

Watch: Fans reaction on social media as India backs South Africa in SA vs WI today's Super 8 clash

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Group 1, Super Eights - SA vs WI: Toss Update

South African captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl first. 

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Group 1, Super Eights - SA vs WI: Playing XIs

South Africa are unchanged for this match.

South Africa playing XI

Aiden Markram (Captain), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

In the crucial Group 2 Super Eights encounter of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, Rachin Ravindra shone with the ball after playing a crucial knock with the bat.  

R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo hosted the crucial match, as it was the must-win fixture for both teams, especially for the hosts Sri Lanka, who couldn't afford another defeat. 

After Sri Lanka sent New Zealand to bat first, the Blackcaps were once struggling at 84/6, from where captain Mitchell Santner (47 off 26 balls) and Cole McConchie (31 not out off 23 balls) rescued the team with a magnificent 82-run partnership for the seventh wicket, as they finally scored 168/7 in 20 overs. 

Chasing down the challenging total, Sri Lanka were losing wickets at regular intervals from the very first ball of the innings.

Watch: Matt Henry removes Pathum Nissanka for golden duck in NZ vs SL T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash

Rachin Ravindra got two wickets in his first over

Rachin Ravindra, who was New Zealand's second-highest scorer in the innings (32 off 22 balls), came to bowl in the ninth over, when Sri Lanka were struggling at 27/2. On his first delivery of the match, Rachin dismissed struggling Kusal Mendis (11 off 22 balls), who was stumped out. 

After delivering a wide on his next delivery, where the Lankans also added a single apart from the extra run, Rachin took another wicket, as Pavan Rathnayake's (10 off 18 balls) stumping dismissal wasn't needed for the third umpire review. Rachin conceded nine runs in that over, while finishing with two wickets. 

First time was so nice, he had to do it twice! 😉

Rachin Ravindra hits the repeat button and New Zealand tighten the screws on Sri Lanka 🔥

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | SUPER 8, #SLvNZ ➡️ LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/g4wqt4U8vL pic.twitter.com/o24RL6zNXg

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 25, 2026

Later, Rachin picked up two more wickets, as the Player of the Match had the bowling figures of 4-0-27-4, which were his best T20I bowling figures. He later dismissed captain Dasun Shanaka (3) and Dushan Hemantha (3). 

It is time for the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand (SL vs NZ) in Group 2 of the Super Eights in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, as R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is hosting the match on Wednesday night (February 25). It is almost a must-win game for both teams. 

Group B runners-up Sri Lanka started the Super Eights with a shocking defeat against England. Despite restricting England to 146 runs, Sri Lanka were bundled out for only 95 runs, as the hosts lost that match by 51 runs.

Meanwhile, Group D runners-up New Zealand had a no result in their first Super Eights fixture against Pakistan, as rain washed out that game. 

See Also: Will Sanju Samson feature in IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup 2026 clash? India's batting coach reveals

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Group 2, Super Eights - SL vs NZ: Toss Update

Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and chose to bowl first. 

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Group 2, Super Eights - SL vs NZ: Playing XIs

Sri Lanka made one change in the playing XI. Charith Asalanka has replaced Kamil Mishara.

Sri Lanka playing XI

New Zealand playing XI

Pakistan are facing England in the crucial Super Eights Group 2 fixture of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 on Tuesday (February 24) night at Pallekele, which is almost a must-win fixture for the Men in Green. When Pakistan is playing a big match in the tournament, there is always a question about whether the left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is playing the match or not. 

As the Pakistan vs New Zealand match was washed out in rain with no result, which was the first game of the Super Eights of the ongoing T20 World Cup, Pakistan will be in a strong position with a win against England. Meanwhile, a defeat against England will put Pakistan in a very challenging position. 

Shaheen Shah Afridi replaced Faheem Ashraf

While Pallekele is hosting the Pakistan vs England match, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and chose to bat first. At toss, Pakistan skipper also confirmed that there was one change in the squad. Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has returned to the playing XI as the replacement for Faheem Ashraf.

Shaheen Shah Afridi hardly effective with ball in T20 World Cup 2026

The 25-year-old Shaheen Shah Afridi has picked up three wickets in three games of the tournament. However, the left-arm fast bowler has proved very costly with the ball in hand. He missed the last group stage game against Namibia and was also on the bench during their first Super Eights fixture against New Zealand, which was washed out in the rain.

With the bat in hand, Shaheen has been unbeaten in the tournament with 5 not out, 9 not out, and 23 not out, respectively. 

Shaheen is currently under pressure, and the left-arm fast bowler has to prove himself in this crucial fixture against England. 

On Tuesday evening (February 24), England and Pakistan are facing each other in the crucial Super Eights Group 2 fixture in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which is being hosted by Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

The Group C runners-up England, who lost against West Indies in the group stage, while claiming close wins against other group stage teams (Nepal, Scotland, and Italy), started the Super Eights of the tournament by beating the hosts Sri Lanka by 51 runs. While England scored 146/9, Sri Lanka were bundled out for only 95 runs. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan were the runners-up in Group A, where they lost against India, after beating the Netherlands and the United States of America closely, and won their last group stage fixture by thrashing Namibia. Their first match of the Super Eights, which was against New Zealand, had no result due to rain washout.

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Group 2, Super Eights - ENG vs PAK: Toss Update

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and chose to bat first. 

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Group 2, Super Eights - ENG vs PAK: Playing XIs

Pakistan have made one change, as Shaheen Shah Afridi has replaced Faheem Ashraf. 

Pakistan playing XI

In the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Group 1 Super Eights fixture between West Indies and Zimbabwe at Mumbai, Caribbean cricketer Shimron Hetmyer slammed the Chevrons' bowlers to score a record-breaking fifty for his team.  

After Zimbabwe sent West Indies to bat first, West Indies openers were dismissed cheaply in the powerplay. Meanwhile, Shimron Hetmyer was dropped in the fourth over, when he was batting on nine runs. However, that drop became very costly for Zimbabwe, as the no.3 batter thrashed the Chevrons bowlers.

Shimron Hetmyer recorded 19-ball fifty, scored 85 runs

Hetmyer scored a 19-ball fifty to set a new record for fastest fifty by a West Indies cricketer in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup history. To complete his fifty, the left-handed batter smashed four fours and five sixes. He controlled the innings even after his half-century, while he was also dropped once again at 70 runs. 

Finally, Hetmyer's storm ended in the 15th over, where West Indies already scored 176 runs before losing the third wicket. The no.3 batter scored 85 off just 34 balls with seven fours and seven sixes.

Fans react after Shimron Hetmyer's fiery batting in WI vs ZIM Super Eights in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

Shimron Hetmyer batting is so unreal. Bhai ne singles doubles lena gunah smjha hua hai.

— Arham (@ArhamViews) February 23, 2026

🚨 History Created by Shimron Hetmyer

- He scored fifty in just 19 balls vs Zimbabwe. pic.twitter.com/8v6oEUsG73

— Anant (@ImAnant_45) February 23, 2026

Shimron Hetmyer is looking ominous than ever before. He is taking the world by storm with his intense, stunning & explosive strokeplay.

He was always a madmax T20 batter but with the consistency, he has transform into a beast. He is going bonkers & taking this Windies batting… pic.twitter.com/gSB5aW7G1i

— Akshat (@Akshatgoel1408) February 23, 2026

Shimron hetmyer scored a 50 in 19 balls from a position when his team was 54-2 . pic.twitter.com/dbg0HPRf0T

— ADITYA (@wXtreme18) February 23, 2026

More than Shimron Hetmyer’s improved showing with the bat at 3 it’s his fitness transformation which tells you the story. Always had the talent but the intent and hunger was missing, looks determined. From missing the flight to making up for the lost time.

— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) February 23, 2026

Shimron Hetmyer to Zimbabwe's Bowling Attack.. mar mar ke mor bana diya💀🥵😭😭 😹#WIvsZIM

pic.twitter.com/1G16ZvbpAr

— Aarnav Sharma✨️ (@sunilaarnav) February 23, 2026

What a sensational innings by Shimron Hetmyer! 💥 Scored a blistering 85 off just 34 balls in the #T20WorldCup — pure power and class! 🔥👏 #Hetmyer #CricketFever

— Muhammad Usman (@ThoughtsByUsman) February 23, 2026

As the hosts and defending champions India suffered a shocking big defeat against South Africa in their first Super Eights fixture at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad on Sunday night (February 22), former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif slammed the Indian team management for the defeat.

After South Africa chose to bat first, they scored 187/7 in 20 overs, while they were once struggling at 20/3. In reply, India were bundled out for only 111 runs, as the Men in Blues lost by 76 runs, which has affected their net run rate in the Super Eight stage Group 1 points table. 

The common criticism after India's big defeat against South Africa in Super Eights of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

One common criticism of the defeat is not playing with the all-rounder Axar Patel for the match, who is the vice-captain of the Men in Blue. Moreover, Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is the home venue for the Indian all-rounder. The Indian team made no changes in the playing XI, as Washington Sundar remained in the playing XI, who replaced Axar Patel in their last group stage game against the Netherlands. While the off-spinner Sundar bowled only two overs, conceding 17 runs without taking any wickets, he scored 11 runs off 11 balls after coming to bat at no.5, above Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Rinku Singh.   

Mohammad Kaif reminds why Axar Patel is important for India

Former Indian cricketer and U19 World Cup-winning captain Mohammad Kaif questioned India's team selection, as to how they couldn't select the vice-captain Axar Patel. 

Kaif reminded that Axar won the Player of the Match award during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-final against England, and played a very helpful knock of 47 off 31 balls while India were struggling in the Final against South Africa. The former Indian cricketer further added that the Men in Blue shouldn't break their main squad, as Axar is a part of India's strongest playing XI from the beginning of the tournament. 

🚨🚨Mohammad Kaif smashed captain & team management!!

- Axar Patel was MOTM in SF against England in last T20I WC.

- He scored crucial runs in Final against South Africa also after early collapse.

How many overs Sundar bowled? What he did with bat?pic.twitter.com/UsmLy4yktr

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) February 22, 2026

In the first Group 1 match of the Super Eights of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, South Africa thrashed the hosts and defending champions India to take strong revenge for their 2024 T20 World Cup Final defeat.

South Africa outplayed India 

Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad hosted the match on Sunday night (February 22), where South Africa chose to bat first. Struggling from 20/3, experienced David Miller (63 off 35 balls) played a great knock along with support from Dewald Brevis (45 off 29 balls) and Tristan Stubbs (44 not out off 24 balls), as Proteas scored 187/7 in 20 overs.

Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah (3/15) and Arshdeep Singh (2/28) had strong performances, but the other bowlers struggled in the innings. 

In reply, India were never in the chase, as only the middle-order batter Shivam Dube managed to score 42 off 37 balls, as India were bundled out for only 111 runs in 18.5 overs and lost by 76 runs.  

Watch: David Miller and Washington Sundar engaged in heated altercation during IND vs SA T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash

Here are some reactions after India's humiliating defeat against South Africa in Super Eights of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

#ICCT20WorldCup2026 | Gujarat: South Africa beat India by 76 runs at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, in a Super 8 Group 1 match.

Nilesh, a Team India supporter, says, "...They (South Africa) definitely played better, so they won. Wins and losses keep happening. The biggest… pic.twitter.com/X3ldZh4AwU

— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2026

#WATCH | A Team South Africa supporter says, "I feel very happy. It's a win for South Africa, it's a win for all African countries. We are proud Africans. Shout-out to Rabada, shout-out to Markram. But India is our place, our home. We are very thankful; we love India...We (South… pic.twitter.com/2bO2HIgJxS

— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2026

Ye Tha Masterstroke?
Washington Sundar In, Axar Patel Out 😱
Flop Planning by Team & Management!#INDvsSA #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/onMZx31lnI

— Sports Yaari (@YaariSports) February 22, 2026

SUSHANT MEHTA MIMICKING SURYAKUMAR YADAV 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/qhCJFFOo1r

— 𝐀. (@was_abdd) February 22, 2026

Panauti stadium 😭 #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/Yvm47cWYDb

— Nand@n (@nandantwts) February 22, 2026

Gidte padte agar final pahuch bhi gaye to isi panauti stadium mein final khelna hoga .

Isse achcha naa hee pahuche

— Sumit (@sumitsaurabh) February 22, 2026

#WATCH | Ritesh, a Team India supporter, says, "Mistakes kept happening from the beginning till then end throughout the match. I think we were not at all prepared for Aiden Markram, their first bowler. We had never thought that a non-bowler like him could bowl like that. So, that… pic.twitter.com/TrrYaFdhU9

— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2026

Really disappointing performance from Team India today. The batting struggles were exposed by South African bowlers, but honestly, this has been a recurring issue throughout the World Cup.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 22, 2026

Was laughing at Sri Lanka's batting performance so Team India ensured I don't.

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 22, 2026

Not our day, beaten by a better team. South Africa checked all the boxes tonight. Chin up Team India, it's just one of those days, you'll bounce back in the next one! #T20WorldCup #IndvsSA

— Abijeet (@Abijeet) February 22, 2026

Sometimes all you need is a wake-up call.#INDvsSA

— zomato (@zomato) February 22, 2026