The T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will start on February 07 with the Indian side playing their opening clash against the United States of America (USA) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. However, the curtain raiser will be between Pakistan and the Netherlands at the SSC Stadium in Colombo on the same morning. 

Over the seasons, many players earned success in the history of the T20 World Cup with the ball. Bowling in the shortest format isn’t an easy job, especially when the batters go after the bowler. But to keep the run-rate down, bagging wickets becomes crucial in the format. Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, as of now, leads the chart in the T20 World Cup history.

List of highest wicket-takers in ICC T20 World Cup history

1.   Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

One of the premier spin all-rounders of world cricket, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan has achieved massive success with the ball using the variation of pace, right line, and lengths of the ball. In the T20 World Cups, Shakib has overall bagged 50 wickets in 41 innings, averaging 20.12 and maintaining an economy rate of under seven, with the help of three four-wicket hauls.

Shakib, whose international career isn’t guaranteed to be back for the national side, has amassed 149 wickets in 126 innings of the T20Is at an average of under 21 and an economy rate of under seven, with the help of six four-wicket and two five-wicket hauls.

2.   Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)

The former Pakistan captain and the premier spin all-rounder of the side, Shahid Afridi, is second on the list with 39 wickets. In his six editions of the T20 World Cup, Afridi recorded those wickets in 34 innings at an average of 23.25 and an economy rate of 6.71, thanks to two four-wicket hauls.

See Also: Highest Run Scorers in ICC T20 World Cup History

Afridi, the 45-year-old, has overall bagged 98 wickets in 97 innings of the shortest format for the national side. He averaged 24.44 and a strike rate of 22.1 with an economy rate of under seven, thanks to three four-wicket hauls at the best bowling figure of 4/11 in an innings.

3.   Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

The former Sri Lanka pacer, Lasith Malinga, is known for his slingy action to bowl the firing yorkers and fox the batters with the slower deliveries, especially in the death overs. In the history of the T20 World Cup, Malinga has overall pocketed 38 wickets in 31 innings at an average of 20.07 and a strike rate of 16.21 with an economy rate of 7.43.

The 42-year-old Galle-born pacer collected overall 107 wickets in 83 innings of the shortest format for the national side at an average of 20.79 and a strike rate of 16.80 with an economy rate of 7.42, thanks to two five-wicket hauls and one four-wicket haul.

4.   Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)

In such a short time in his career, Sri Lanka’s mystery spinner has earned massive success with the ball, in various durations of the game. The right-arm pacer has featured in just three seasons of the event and enjoyed 37 wickets in 19 innings at an average of under 12 and a strike rate of 11.72 with an economy rate of exactly six, thanks to the best bowling figures of 3/8.

The 28-year-old Hasaranga has managed overall 146 wickets in 88 innings of the shortest format at an average of 15.86 and a strike rate of 13.6 and an economy rate of under seven, thanks to four four-wicket hauls at the best figures of 4/9 in an innings.

5.   Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

Afghanistan’s captain and the star player of the white-ball formats, Rashid Khan, has also earned so much success with the ball in the middle overs. In just 23 innings of the T20 World Cup history, the leg spinner has bagged 37 wickets at an average of under 15 and a strike rate of 14.16, thanks to an economy rate of 6.30, with the help of three four-wicket hauls.

The 27-year-old has overall fetched 182 wickets in the 108 innings of the shortest format at an average of under 14 and a strike rate of 13.5 with an economy rate of just over six, thanks to nine four-wicket and a couple of five-wicket hauls at the best figures of 5/3 in an innings.

Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in the third match of the one-day series, which will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Sunday. In the previous match, Pakistan's Babar Azam was the top batsman and scored his 20th ODI century with eight boundaries. He was well supported by opener Fakhar Zaman, who scored a fluent 78 runs off 93 balls with the help of eight fours and one six. 

On the other hand, Sri Lanka was completely outclassed by Pakistan in all three departments. Captain Charith Asalanka will be hoping to produce their best cricket and earn a consolation victory in this dead rubber.

Also Read: IND-A vs SA-A Dream11 Prediction Playing XI: 2nd ODI, South Africa A Tour of India, 2025 Fantasy Cricket Tips, Team, and Pitch Report

PAK vs SL Match Details

• Match: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI

• Date: 16th November 2025

• Time: 3.00 PM IST

• Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi 

• Live Streaming: FanCode

PAK vs SL Weather Report

Pitch Report

The average first-inning score at the venue in one-day internationals is around 270 runs.

Top Batters to Watch – PAK vs SL

• Babar Azam (PAK): 131 runs in this Series 

• Fakhar Zaman (PAK): 110 runs in this Series 

• Salman Agha (PAK): 105 runs in this Series 

Top Bowlers to Watch – PAK vs SL

• Haris Rauf (PAK): 7 wickets in this Series 

• Wanindu Hasaranga (SL): 3 wickets in this Series 

• Abrar Ahmed (PAK): 3 wickets in this Series 

PAK vs SL Recent Form

PAK vs SL Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If SL Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 40–50

• Predicted Total: 270- 280

• Match Result: PAK to win

Scenario 2: If PAK Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 55–60

• Predicted Total: 290–310

• Match Result: PAK to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

PAK vs SL Predicted Playing XIs

Sri Lanka

Charith Asalanka (captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Layenge, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Mahesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasranaga, Pramod Madushan.

Pakistan 

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed

PAK vs SL Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

We predict that Pakistan will win the 3rd ODI match. The likes of Saim Ayub, Haris Rauf and Babar Azam will be key players to watch out for.

PAK vs SL Match FAQs

Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in the second match of the one-day series played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Friday. The 3-match ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has begun, and the series has started on a positive note for the hosts. 

In a high-scoring match, Pakistan scored a thrilling win in the 1st ODI. Pakistan successfully defended the target of 299 runs. Salman Agha was the standout performer for Pakistan, scoring a match-winning 105 runs off just 87 balls. 

Also Read: PAK vs SL Dream11 Prediction 2nd ODI match Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI

PAK vs SL Match Details

• Match: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI

• Date: 14th November 2025

• Time: 3.00 PM IST

• Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi 

• Live Streaming: FanCode

PAK vs SL Weather Report

Pitch Report

The average first-inning score at the venue in one-day internationals is around 270 runs.

Top Batters to Watch – PAK vs SL

• Salman Agha (PAK): 105 runs in this Series 

• Hussain Talat (PAK): 62 runs in this Series 

• Wanindu Hasaranga (SL): 59 runs in this Series 

Top Bowlers to Watch – PAK vs SL

• Haris Rauf (PAK): 4 wickets in this Series 

• Wanindu Hasaranga (SL): 3 wickets in this Series 

• Faheem Ashraf (PAK): 2 wickets in this Series 

PAK vs SL Recent Form

PAK vs SL Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If SL Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 40–50

• Predicted Total: 270- 280

• Match Result: PAK to win

Scenario 2: If PAK Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 55–60

• Predicted Total: 290–300

• Match Result: PAK to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

PAK vs SL Predicted Playing XIs

Sri Lanka

Charith Asalanka (captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Layenge, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Mahesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasranaga, Pramod Madushan.

Pakistan 

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed

PAK vs SL Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

We predict that Pakistan will win the 2nd ODI match. The likes of Saim Ayub, Haris Rauf and Salman Agha will be key players to watch out for.

PAK vs SL Match FAQs

Babar Azam, the former captain of the Pakistan side, came into the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka at home under pressure, having not been able to put up a huge score on the board during their previous series against South Africa. The last century in the 50-over format for Azam came against Nepal during the Asia Cup 2023.

Going into the Sri Lanka series, the expectation was huge from the right-handed and experienced campaigner of Pakistan, who needed to put a huge score on the board. He arrived on the second ball of the fifth over of the first innings after the dismissal of Saim Ayub on six runs. The first few overs were tricky for the right-handed batter, but he opened the account on the 13th delivery.

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His first boundary of the game came during the 17th over, when he presented the full face of the bat to Janith Liyange. But Pakistan kept losing wickets from the other end as they saw the back of Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan, which created incredible pressure on Babar.

Watch: Wanindu Hasaranga bowls out Babar Azam for 29 during PAK vs SL Rawalpindi ODI

On the second ball of the 24th over, Wanindu Hasaranga dismissed Babar for 24 runs with the help of three boundaries. It was a beautiful delivery from the mystery spinner as the ball landed outside off and drew the batter forward before spinning viciously to beat the inside edge and break the stumps for 29 runs.

🚨 Just 804 days and 83 innings without a hundred and people easily forget that Coach Mike Hesson recently said, “Babar Azam is not out of form at all; he’s in extremely good form.” 🥶#BabarAzam #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/z3jb3SsWF5

— ICC Asia Cricket (@ICCAsiaCricket) November 11, 2025

Pakistan found themselves under incredible pressure with the wicket at 95/4 in 24 overs. It was the third wicket of the game for Hasaranga, who had some brutal figures of 3/26 in six overs at an economy rate of 4.3.

Babar has overall smashed 6365 runs in 135 innings at an average of nearly 53 and a strike rate of nearly 90 with the help of 19 centuries and 37 half-centuries at the best score of 158 runs. In the South Africa series, the right-handed batter smashed seven, 11, and 27 across three fixtures at an average of 15.

The ODI cricket will take centre stage as Sri Lanka travels to Pakistan for a 3-match ODI series. Pakistan and South Africa played a three-match T20I and ODI series recently. The hosts scored a series win in the ODI format by 2-1. They started the series with a win but lost the 2nd match. However, the team bounced back well in the 3rd ODI to clinch the series.

 The Sri Lankan cricket team will return to action after the Asia Cup 2025. For more than a month, they took a break, and their most recent ODI match was against Zimbabwe in August. Zimbabwe hosted Sri Lanka for a 2-match ODI series, and they won the series 2-0.

Also Read: PAK vs SL Dream11 Prediction 1st ODI match Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI

PAK vs SL Match Details

• Match: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI

• Date: 11th November 2025

• Time: 3.00 PM IST

• Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi 

• Live Streaming: FanCode

PAK vs SL Weather Report

Pitch Report

The average first-inning score at the venue in one-day internationals is around 246 runs.

Top Batters to Watch – PAK vs SL

• Babar Azam (PAK): 6336 runs in ODI 

• Kusal Mendis (SL): 4697 runs in ODI 

• Fakhar Zaman (PAK): 3696 runs in ODI

Top Bowlers to Watch – PAK vs SL

• Wanindu Hasaranga (SL): 108 wickets in ODI

• Shaheen Afridi (PAK): 134 wickets in ODI

• Haris Rauf (PAK): 88 wickets in ODI

PAK vs SL Recent Form

PAK vs SL Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If SL Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 40–50

• Predicted Total: 250- 260

• Match Result: PAK to win

Scenario 2: If PAK Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 55–65

• Predicted Total: 275–290

• Match Result: PAK to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

PAK vs SL Predicted Playing XIs

Sri Lanka

Charith Asalanka (captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Layenge, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Mahesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasranaga, Pramod Madushan.

Pakistan 

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed

PAK vs SL Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

We predict that Pakistan will win the 1st ODI match. The likes of Saim Ayub, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz will be key players to watch out for.

PAK vs SL Match FAQs

During the Super 4 clash of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Sheik Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, a funny reaction took place between Abrar Ahmed and Wanindu Hasaranga, where the former replicated the latter’s celebration after dismissing the batter during the game. The former Pakistan captain, Waqar Younis, joked about his missing finger while imitating Hasaranga’s celebration.

During the 13th over of the innings of the Sri Lanka side, Abra dismissed Wanindu Hasaranga with a googly as the all-rounder attempted a slog sweep, and once he missed the ball, the middle stump was rattled. Abrar mimicked Hasaranga’s celebration but quickly asked his teammates about the actual celebration.

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The camera captured the moment and drew laughter. The commentary box saw the two veteran Younis and Russell Arnold copying the same celebration as the former suddenly remembered that he didn’t have the finger to join the celebration. Poor Younis couldn’t repeat the same as Arnold looked shocked for a moment.

Watch: Waqar Younis gives funny reaction to replicate Wanindu Hasaranga’s celebration in PAK vs SL clash

When he was 15 years old, a tragic accident happened to him while swimming with his cousins in a canal in Multan when he attempted to climb through the wet iron grills, and he lost his balance, losing one finger. It also left him with only three broken ribs. He didn’t realize that he had lost a finger initially, but the sharp pain and the blood covering his body made the injury.

 

 

 

 

 

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That was a setback to Waqar’s body but not his ambitions. It helped him to grow the knowledge of reverse swing and become one of the greatest fast bowlers of the Pakistan side, along with Wasim Akram, to dominate world cricket.

Sri Lanka was reduced to 133/8 in their allotted 20 overs of the first innings as Kamindu Mendis was the lone run-getter with 50 runs in 44 balls with the help of three boundaries and two sixes. Pakistan struggled in the chase but completed it successfully by five wickets and two balls to spare, thanks to the unbeaten sixth-wicket stand of 58 runs.

An out-and-out entertaining match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The match got more intense during the second innings when Pakistan went into the Dubai International Stadium pitch for chasing a target of 134 runs in 20 overs. Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed quickly realized how his own medicine tastes as Sri Lanka star Wanindu Hasaranga mocked him back.

The battle between Ahmad and Hasaranga took the on-field rivalry between these two countries to new heights. It was Abrar who first mocked Hasaranga during the first innings of the match, when Sri Lanka was batting. The Pakistan spinner took the wicket of the Sri Lankan all-rounder, and then out of nowhere he replicated Hasaranga's trademark celebration to mock him.

The Galle-born quietly headed back to the dressing room after scoring 15 off 13 with two boundaries. Ahmed bowled him out. In the second innings, it was Hasaranga's turn to mock the opponent player back. Hasaranga mocked Ahmed multiple times. First, when he took a one-handed catch to dismiss Fakhar Zaman, and then after taking the wicket of Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha, Hasaranga copied Abrar Ahmed's celebration. When Hasaranga was mocking Abrar, the focus of the camera quickly shifted to the Pakistan dugout where Ahmed was sitting; he had no choice but to see Hasaranga replicating his wicket-taking celebration.

Watch Hasaranga's reaction here

Abrar copied Hasaranga and now Hasaranga mimics Abrar, not once, but twice

Pakistan v Sri Lanka rivalry brewingpic.twitter.com/d2ADw8RGbv

— Lord Immy Kant (@KantInEastt) September 23, 2025

Read More: WATCH: Shaheen Afridi strikes in the second ball during SL vs PAK, Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match

The rivalry between two spinner intensified Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Asia and 2025 match

Abrar smiled a little to ease down the situation. In the first innings, Abrar Ahmed bowled brilliantly against Sri Lanka. In his 4-over spell, the spinner claimed one wicket against only 8 runs, which made his economy rate 2.00. 

In the second innings, Hasaranga claimed 2 wickets in his 4-over quota at an economy rate of 6.75, which was not enough to defend their total. Sri Lanka suffered back-to-back defeats in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025. And Pakistan bounced back after a heavy loss against India. 

It was a do-or-die clash for Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi where the loser is expected to get knocked out of the tournament. The Salman Ali Agha-led side won the toss and decided to bowl first on a surface that was providing spin from the start and was slow to start with.

It was the first ball of the 13^th over of the innings when Abrar Ahmed bowled a googly which the batter, Wanindu Hasaranga, couldn’t read and put his knee down to play the slog-sweep. He got beaten due to the googly and the stumped got rattled with the spin. Abrar tried to replicate Hasaranga’s celebration, but he wasn’t aware of the actual replay.

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Abrar bowled pretty well in the evening as he ended with figures of 1/8 in four overs as the Sri Lanka batters hardly have any answer to him on that surface. The others also chipped in crucial moments.

Sri Lanka struggle their way to 133/8

On the second ball of the innings, their wicket-keeper batter, Kusal Mendis, got a first-ball duck while his opening partner, Pathum Nissanka, drilled eight runs in seven balls. Kusal Perera drilled 15 runs in 12 balls at a strike rate of 125 while the captain, Charith Asalanka, returned with 20 runs in 19 balls at a strike rate of 105.26.

Abra breaks through Hasaranga and then does his celebration 😎pic.twitter.com/EmgxdMC3UX

— PCT Replays 2.0 (@ReplaysPCT) September 23, 2025

Kamindu Mendis smacked 50 runs in 44 balls, shouldering on three boundaries and two sixes at a strike rate of 113.64. The lower-order didn’t click at all with the bat as they ended up with 133/8 in their allotted 20 overs in the first innings.

Shaheen Afridi, who ended with fine figures of 3/28 in four overs, became Pakistan’s second leading T20I wicket-taker with 114 wickets. On the other hand, both Haris Rauf and Hussain Talat ended with two wickets each in the second innings wile Abrar ended with special figures of 1/8 in his four overs. Pakistan smelt the victory in a low-run chase.

Injury threat for the Sri Lanka cricket team as their prime all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga landed badly on the ground and injured himself. The physio quickly rushed onto the ground and provided medical assistance. Sri Lanka, from the beginning of the important match against Pakistan, was struggling with the bat. On the evening of September 23, 2025, two nations faced off against each other at the Dubai International Stadium for the Super Four Match 3 of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

Both of the teams have no option but to win the game, as they begin the Super Four journey with a defeat each. Wanindu Hasaranga has been a key instrument for Sri Lanka, so when he landed on the ground hard, it was an alarming situation for the island nation.

Pakistan started the match well with Shaheen Afridi, who quickly took the wicket of Kusal Mendis. The pitcher took the ticket in the second ball of the innings. Pakistan bowlers were at their top. Sri Lanka's top and middle order failed to build any significant partnership. Hopes were high around Hasaranga's batting qualities. 

Read More: SL vs PAK, Asia Cup 2025 Super Four Match 3: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Toss Update and Playing XIs

Why did the physio rush into the field to assist the star all-rounder? 

On the third ball of the 10th over, Abrar Ahmed delivered a full-length, around-the-off delivery. Kamindu Mendis used his feet and lightly pushed the ball straight towards the bowler. In the meantime, Hasaranga failed to get out of the way quickly and got hit on his right hand. He was visibly in pain, and the physio was there on the field to check him.

The match remained paused for a while. Hasaranga received some treatment on the field and then started to carry on the match as usual. The physio applied magic spray on the right-handed wrist of Hasaranga, and then he felt relief to play. Though he could not carry his innings too long, as Abrar Ahmed bowled him out. The Sri Lankan star departed for 15 off 13.