New Delhi, Feb. 28 -- Pakistan have dropped star batter Babar Azam from their playing XI for the crucial Super Eight match against Sri Lanka. This high-stakes encounter at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium sees Pakistan fighting for survival, needing a big win to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to bowl first, putting Pakistan in to bat. Salman Agha, leading the side, announced three key changes to the lineup. The exclusions are Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Salman Mirza, with Naseem Shah, Khawaja Nafay, and Abrar Ahmed coming in. This marks a rare instance where Babar, Pakistan's former captain and all-time leading T20I run-scorer, misses a World Cup game despite being in the ...