India, Feb. 28 -- Pakistan's Super 8 night in Pallekele began with a selection decision that guaranteed noise. Babar Azam and Saim Ayub were dropped, a blunt call in a tournament where reputation often gets a longer rope than form. It also meant Pakistan had no option but to justify the shift in immediate tempo, not a slow burn.

Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl, backing the chase and hoping early wickets would expose Pakistan's new-order nerves. Instead, Pakistan's openers offered a different kind of response - clear roles, sustained intent, and zero disruption. They surged to 176 before losing Fakhar Zaman, building a platform that not only dominated the innings but also altered the feel of the contest long before the second inn...