Fakhar Zaman advances down the pitch and the left-handed opener whips Dilshan Madushanka powerfully through mid-wicket for four.

More than a touch premeditated by Fakhar, but Pakistan's boundary count is up and running.

A bit of swing from Dilshan Madushanka which Sahibzada Farhan does well to keep out.

Farhan gets himself off the mark with a bunt down the ground for a single.

Image source, Getty Images

Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman are purposefully striding out to bat for Pakistan at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium.

Dilshan Madushanka is at the top of his mark. Ball in hand.

Prakash Wakankar
BBC Test Match Special commentator

It's going to be a terrific game. The way the toss has gone and the decision by Shanaka allows a greater degree of control for Pakistan to do what they think they can do best - put on a lot of runs. Bat with the knowledge they have to get a very big score, 220, so they have a reasonable chance of winning by that margin of 64 runs.

If they were to continue from thereon in, they have the comfort in knowing they will play the semi-final and final in Sri Lanka rather than having to travel anywhere.

And New Zealand will rue what happened last night and get on the plane home.

Image source, Getty Images

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha: "It is a massive opportunity. We just need to play the perfect game - bat well, bowl well, field well - and I think we'll be fine.

"We would have bowled first so there is no way we can do that while batting, just need to put up a good total and

"It is a mix to be honest. Sometimes it is tough and sometimes it is easy. You may have a freedom to play shots, but you know what you need to do. It is a mix but we need to play a perfect game and we'll be fine."

Image source, Getty Images

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka: "We're going to bowl first. It's a good pitch and late on there might be dew as well.

"We've got some good players in our line-up. We need to do our basics right. We didn't do the basics well enough to pull off the win in the last two games.

"[The fans] still always love us regardless. It's a good motivational thing. We're looking forward to the game."

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wicketkeeper), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka.

Much still to decide in Super 8 Group 2...

What is certain is that England are through to the semi-finals after three straight wins.

New Zealand face a nervy wait following their defeat by England. If Pakistan fail to beat Sri Lanka on today then the Black Caps will be through, but victory for Salman Ali Agha's side would see second place decided by net run-rate (NRR).

The average first-innings in Pallekele in this tournament is 164 - if Pakistan achieve that they would need to restrict Sri Lanka to 100 or less to overtake New Zealand's net run-rate. A winning margin of around 64 runs is required if batting first.

The calculations will become a lot clearer at the halfway stage of their match.

Image source, Getty Images

Salman Ali Agha called heads a few moments ago, but it landed on tails.

Sri Lanka fancy a chase later on.

Pakistan must beat Sri Lanka to keep their T20 World Cup dreams alive - but it's not quite that straightforward.

Pakistan need to win and likely win big to overhaul New Zealand on net run-rate. More on that shortly...

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are eliminated but they will doubtless want to put a spoke Pakistan's wheel.

Welcome to live coverage from a pivotal T20 World Cup Super 8 showdown at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium.