Kandy, Sri Lanka — February 24, 2026
Only one major fixture headlines the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Tuesday as England take on Pakistan in a pivotal Super 8 Group 2 encounter.
The match will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, with the first ball scheduled for 7:00 PM IST.
With semifinal qualification on the line, both teams enter the contest with contrasting momentum.
Group 2 Points Table – Latest Standings
After the first round of Super 8 matches, the Group 2 table stands as follows:
| Position | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | NR | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | +2.550 |
| 2 | Pakistan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2.550 |
England currently lead the group after defeating Sri Lanka in their previous match. Pakistan shared points with New Zealand after their last game was washed out.
With only the top two teams progressing to the semifinals, today’s match is crucial — especially for Pakistan, who need a win to strengthen their qualification hopes.
Match Details
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Match: England vs Pakistan (Super 8 – Match 5, Group 2)
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Time: 7:00 PM IST
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Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
Pitch Report: Pallekele Stadium
The Pallekele surface traditionally offers assistance to spinners as the game progresses, especially under lights. Both teams are expected to strengthen their spin departments while relying on aggressive top-order batting during the powerplay.
Probable Playing XI
England (ENG) Probable XI:
Phil Salt,
Jos Buttler (wk),
Jacob Bethell,
Tom Banton,
Harry Brook (c),
Sam Curran,
Will Jacks,
Liam Dawson,
Jamie Overton,
Jofra Archer,
Adil Rashid
Pakistan (PAK) Probable XI:
Sahibzada Farhan,
Saim Ayub,
Salman Ali Agha (c),
Babar Azam,
Fakhar Zaman,
Usman Khan (wk),
Shadab Khan,
Mohammad Nawaz,
Faheem Ashraf,
Salman Mirza,
Usman Tariq
What’s at Stake?
England will look to consolidate their top position and move closer to semifinal qualification. Pakistan, meanwhile, cannot afford another setback after their rain-affected match against New Zealand.
With net run rate likely to play a decisive role, an emphatic win could significantly impact Group 2 standings.
Live Streaming and Broadcast Details
Fans can watch the match live on JioStar Network television channels and stream it via the JioHotstar app and website.
