On Saturday, February 21, New Zealand and Pakistan will face off in Match 41 of the T20 World Cup 2026. This match marks the start of the Super 8 stage and will take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, starting at 7:00 PM IST. It is an important Game in Super 8 Group 2.
Pakistan ranked second in Group A, while New Zealand also finished second in Group D behind South Africa. Alongside Pakistan and New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka complete Super 8 Group 2.
This matchup will be crucial as both teams look to gain early momentum in the group.
Pakistan T20 World Cup Squad: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
Pakistan began their campaign with two wins in Group A, defeating the Netherlands and the USA. They lost to India but bounced back with a victory over Namibia, securing their spot in Super 8 Group 2.
New Zealand T20 World Cup Squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Cole McConchie, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Kyle Jamieson, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears (reserve).
New Zealand won three out of four games in Group D, with their only loss coming against South Africa.
Head-to-Head Record: New Zealand vs Pakistan
In T20 World Cup history, New Zealand and Pakistan have met 49 times. New Zealand has won 23 matches, while Pakistan has 24 victories. There have been two matches with no result. In World Cup encounters, New Zealand has won two matches against Pakistan but lost five.
Probable XI for Both Teams
Pakistan’s Probable XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed.
New Zealand’s Probable XI: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry.
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo – Key Details
R. Premadasa Stadium is located in Colombo and was previously known as Khettarama Stadium until 1994. It was established in 1986 and has a capacity of 35,000. The stadium hosted the ICC T20 World Cup 2012 final and recently the ICC Women’s World Cup.
Pitch Report for R. Premadasa Stadium
The pitch at R. Premadasa Stadium has a flat surface but tends to deteriorate over time. As the match progresses, it generally favors spin bowlers. The pitch provides good bounce initially but can become slower and turn in the middle overs. Pacers may find little seam or swing, especially during day-night games, making it a favorable pitch for spinners.
Key Stats at R. Premadasa Stadium
A total of 53 T20I matches have been played here. India has played 15 matches, winning 11. Pakistan has played 8 matches, winning 5 and losing 3. New Zealand has played two T20Is here, winning both.
Bangladesh holds the highest total of 215/5 against Sri Lanka in 2018. Pakistan’s top score here is 175/5 against Sri Lanka in 2015. New Zealand’s best is 170/4 against Sri Lanka in 2009.
Pakistan’s lowest total here is 114/10 against India in the 2026 T20 World Cup, while New Zealand’s lowest score is 141/8 versus Sri Lanka in 2009.
Kusal Perera has the most runs at this stadium with 464 runs at an average of 25.77. Among Pakistan players, Umar Akmal has scored 182 runs from 7 matches. Ross Taylor has 76 runs from 2 matches.
Wanindu Harshana is the leading wicket-taker here with 24 wickets. Fourteen bowlers have taken four wickets in an innings at this venue.
Weather Forecast: Will Rain Affect the Match?
Rain is expected during the New Zealand vs Pakistan Super 8 match in Colombo on February 21. Showers are predicted around 7 PM local time, which could affect the start time if conditions are unfavorable. Temperatures will be between 24–26°C, with humidity levels exceeding 80%.
Pitch Advantage: Which Team Will Benefit?
Both teams will aim to utilize the pitch, which generally aids spin as the match progresses. Pakistan may have a slight edge with their spin bowling options, which are considered stronger compared to New Zealand’s.
FAQs: Pitch Report for R. Premadasa Stadium
What is the pitch report for R. Premadasa Stadium?
The pitch is mostly flat but deteriorates during the game, favoring spinners as it goes on. It offers consistent bounce initially, turning slower in the middle overs. Pacers find little assistance under lights, making it a spinner-friendly pitch.
What are New Zealand’s and Pakistan’s records at R. Premadasa Stadium?
Pakistan has played 8 matches, winning 5 and losing 3. New Zealand has played two T20Is here, winning both.
