Pakistan and New Zealand meet in a crucial Super 8 fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo. The contest carries major importance for both sides as the race to the semifinals tightens. With a long-standing rivalry and narrow head-to-head margins, this fixture was always expected to draw attention. However, the weather has quickly become part of the story.
Toss Update:
At the toss, Pakistan called it right and chose to bat first. The decision reflects confidence in their batting unit and a desire to post scoreboard pressure in a high-stakes game. Batting first could also prove useful if rain continues to interrupt proceedings later in the evening.
Weather Update: Rain Delays Start
The temperature currently stands at 26 degrees in Colombo. Unfortunately, steady rain has forced officials to cover the entire ground with blue mats. Ground staff remains positioned around the field, ready to act the moment conditions improve.
If the rain stops soon, there is still hope for a full 20-over contest. However, playing conditions state that one over will be reduced after every four minutes of delay. A minimum of five overs per side is required to produce a result. If that threshold is not met, the match will be abandoned, and both teams will receive one point each.
For now, players stay indoors while officials monitor the rain closely.
Playing XI: Pakistan and New Zealand
| Pakistan Playing XI | New Zealand Playing XI |
|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | Tim Seifert (Wk) |
| Saim Ayub | Finn Allen |
| Fakhar Zaman | Rachin Ravindra |
| Salam Ali Agha (C) | Daryl Mitchell |
| Babar Azam | Glenn Phillips |
| Shadab Khan | Mark Chapman |
| Usman Khan (WK) | Mitchell Santner (C) |
| Mohammad Nawaz | James Neesham |
| Faheem Ashraf | Matt Henry |
| Salman Mirza | Lockie Ferguson |
| Usman Tariq | Ish Sodhi |
