SL vs PAK: Why did Saim Ayub miss Super 8 clash of T20 World Cup 2026?
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Saim Ayub’s name was missing from team sheet for SL vs PAK, match 50, of T20 World Cup 2026.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka are clashing in the Super 8 round of T20 World Cup 2026 on Saturday, February 28, at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele. The result of the SL vs PAK game will not affect Sri Lanka’s future in the tournament, as they have been eliminated.
On the other hand, Pakistan have a narrow chance to seal a spot in the semi-final if they defeat Sri Lanka by the required victory margin. They need to win the game by 65 runs to join England in the semi-finals from Group 2.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and opted to field first in the match. At the toss, Pakistan captain Salman Agha informed that they have made three changes to their side. Saim Ayub was not part of the match, while Babar Azam and Salman Mirza were also absent from their playing XI.
Why did Saim Ayub miss SL vs PAK match?
Notably, Pakistan made three changes to their playing XI for the encounter. Hence, Ayub, Babar, and Mirza were dropped from the clash. Naseem Shah, Khawaja Nafay, and Abrar Ahmed were added as replacements.
Speaking at the toss, Agha said, “It’s a massive opportunity. We just need to play a perfect game, bowl well, bat well, and field well, and I think everything will be fine. Yeah, we would have bowled first definitely, but there is no way we can do that while batting. So you just need to put up a good total and try to restrict them.”
Revealing Pakistan’s playing XI, he added, “We’ll just try to play a perfect game and I think the rest will be fine. Yeah, we got three changes. Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Salman Mirza are not playing. Naseem Shah, Khawaja Nafay, and Abrar Ahmed are playing”.
SL vs PAK: Playing 11’s
Pakistan Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (C), Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan (wk), 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.
Why is Saim Ayub not part of Pakistan’s playing XI against Sri Lanka?
Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, and Salman Mirza were dropped from the match. Naseem Shah, Khawaja Nafay, and Abrar Ahmed replaced them in the playing XI.
What changes did Pakistan make in the Super 8 clash against Sri Lanka?
Pakistan made three changes to their playing XI. Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Salman Mirza were rested for the game. Naseem Shah, Khawaja Nafay, and Abrar Ahmed were added as replacements.
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Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.