Pakistan cricket team will lock horns with New Zealand in their first game of the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 on Saturday in Colombo. Both teams are riding high on momentum, having finished the group stage with three wins from four matches. The game at the R Premadasa Stadium is threatened by rain and a possible thunderstorm, which could potentially dent the chances of both teams making it to the quarterfinals. However, a mouth-watering contest is on cards, with both sides boasting of formidable line-ups.
PAK vs NZ Match Details
- Match: Pakistan vs New Zealand, Super 8 (Group 2)
- Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM IST / 6:30 PM PKT
- Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka
PAK vs NZ Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today?
Pakistan holds a slight edge heading into this contest. Unlike New Zealand, who played their group stage matches in India, the Men in Green have already featured in two games at the R. Premadasa Stadium this tournament. This familiarity with the venue’s sluggish nature and low bounce gives them a significant tactical advantage. Their spin quartet—Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Shadab Khan, and Saim Ayub—has been lethal, accounting for the majority of their wickets so far.
New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, will need to adapt quickly to the Sri Lankan conditions. While openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert have been in blistering form, the middle order has looked vulnerable against high-quality spin. Historically, Pakistan has been New Zealand’s “Achilles’ heel” in ICC events, and the head-to-head record in T20 World Cups favors the Asian giants.
- Prediction: Pakistan to win.
PAK vs NZ Head-to-Head Record
The two sides have shared a fierce rivalry in the shortest format, with Pakistan maintaining a slim historical lead.
- Total Matches: 49
- Pakistan Won: 24
- New Zealand Won: 23
- No Result: 2
- Recent Form (Since Jan 2022): New Zealand leads 13-9.
Pitch Report & Weather Update
The R. Premadasa Stadium pitch is expected to be a “spinner’s paradise.” With an average first-innings score of 167, the surface offers plenty of grip and turn as the match progresses. Teams winning the toss are likely to bat first, as chasing has proven difficult on this tired deck.
Weather: Colombo’s weather remains a major talking point. There is an 80% chance of rain during the match hours (7:00 PM to 10:00 PM). High humidity (above 80%) and cloud cover may also assist the swing bowlers under lights if the game proceeds.
PAK vs NZ Probable Playing XIs
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (C), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Usman Tariq.
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (C), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy/Ish Sodhi.
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