ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will begin their Super Eights campaign of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 with a high-stakes clash against New Zealand at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Saturday (today), with weather likely to play a key role.
Pakistan finished second in Group A with three wins from four matches, while New Zealand progressed after a consistent first-round display. Historically, Pakistan hold a 5-2 edge over the Black Caps in T20 World Cup meetings.
Fans have also called for the inclusion of left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman, citing his strong record against New Zealand.
Pitch and conditions
The surface at the R. Premadasa Stadium is expected to favor spinners. The larger boundaries could further restrict free stroke-play, making big hitting more challenging.
However, there was an exception earlier this week when Zimbabwe registered a high-scoring win over Sri Lanka on what appeared to be a batting-friendly wicket.
Weather
Colombo is experiencing cloudy and humid conditions. Afternoon temperatures hover around 30°C, with high humidity pushing the RealFeel to 37°C, according to AccuWeather.
There is a 75% chance of rain earlier in the day, but showers are expected to ease by evening. Cloud cover will remain heavy, and humidity could rise to 86%, potentially assisting bowlers under lights.
Likely XI
Pakistan:
Salman Ali Agha (c), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman/Babar Azam, Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Usman Tariq, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
New Zealand:
Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (capt), Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy
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