Pakistan Face New Zealand In Crucial Super 8 Clash

Colombo (Web Desk) – The Pakistan cricket team is determined to make a winning start to the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as they take on New Zealand at the R. Premadasa Stadium today.

The 41st match of the tournament is scheduled to begin at 6:30 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PST). Fans across the country are hopeful and praying for a strong performance from the Green Shirts.

Pakistan were unable to hold a practice session on Friday due to persistent rain in Colombo. Despite the setback, the team remains focused as the match holds significant importance in their bid to qualify for the semi-finals, set to be played on March 4 and 5.

Both sides enter the contest with similar momentum, having finished second in their respective groups with three wins from four matches. While Pakistan suffered a defeat against India in the group stage, they registered convincing victories over the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia.

ICC Issues Key Statement on Pakistan–India Match

Historically, Pakistan have enjoyed an edge over New Zealand in T20 World Cups, winning five of their seven encounters. Their most recent clash came in the semi-final of the 2022 edition, where Pakistan secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory. New Zealand’s last win over Pakistan in a T20 World Cup dates back to 2016, when they triumphed by 22 runs.

After facing New Zealand, Pakistan will play two-time champions England in Kandy on February 24, followed by their final Super 8 fixture against co-hosts Sri Lanka on February 28.

Squads

Pakistan:
Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq.

New Zealand:
Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Cole McConchie.