The 41st match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 features New Zealand and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. As the Super 8 stage begins, this Group 2 match is crucial for the teams as they aim for the semi-finals.
Both teams come into the Super 8s after finishing second in their groups. New Zealand has strong momentum, marked by record-opening partnerships from Tim Seifert and Finn Allen. On the other hand, Pakistan has shown inconsistency, oscillating between low scores and totals over 190. Their spin attack has been the best in the tournament, presenting a challenge for New Zealand’s aggressive batting lineup.
️ NZ vs PAK, Colombo Weather Forecast
The weather in Colombo this evening is expected to be overcast, which may impact the match. There is an 87% chance of rain, with a 52% likelihood of thunderstorms, and about 8.4 mm of rain predicted. Cloud cover will be high at 82%, benefiting fast bowlers early in the game, especially under lights. Winds will be mild from the NNE at 6 km/h, with gusts up to 15 km/h. Rain interruptions are a significant concern, and captains might consider DLS calculations while making their decisions at the toss.
NZ vs PAK, Dew Factor
In the humid conditions of Colombo, dew could influence the game, especially for the team batting second. Humidity is expected to reach 86% after 8:30 PM, making the outfield slick. This poses challenges for teams defending a total, as both Pakistan’s Shadab Khan and New Zealand’s Ish Sodhi depend on a dry ball for effective spin.
A wet ball makes it hard for spinners to grip, resulting in full tosses and reduced spin. When the ball becomes damp, it skids off the pitch, allowing New Zealand’s aggressive batsmen like Finn Allen to play with more confidence.
NZ vs PAK, Toss Prediction
The toss is likely to be pivotal due to the weather and historical results at R. Premadasa Stadium. Although four out of the five matches at this venue in the tournament have been won by the team batting first, the threat of rain and dew may lead teams to choose to bowl first. Captains will want to have clarity on the DLS target in case of rain interruptions.
Spin-Friendly: The pitch is a traditional slow black-soil surface that provides substantial grip for spinners.
Variable Bounce: Batters will face difficulties hitting on this worn pitch, particularly in middle overs.
Pace Variations: Although the new ball may move under lights, fast bowlers will rely more on variations than sheer speed.
Humidity is expected to stay around 85%. If rain holds off for a while, dew could become a significant factor, making it tough for spinners to maintain grip in the second innings and allowing the ball to skid, thereby favoring the chasing side.
