Overview:
NZ’s Finn Allen can attack any opposition and take them to the cleaners. He will be someone the Kiwis can rely on for fireworks upfront. For Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis holds the cards. He can be an ideal bet
The New Zealand men’s cricket team is set to take on Sri Lanka in the 46th match of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup campaign, starting February 25. Notably, this match will be held at 7:00 pm IST at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
This is the 2nd Super 8s clash between the two teams. New Zealand saw their opening game get abandoned due to rain against Pakistan. On the other hand, Sri Lanka were beaten by England.
With England having qualified from this group for the semis after taking down Pakistan, a win for New Zealand will boost their chances of making it through. This will also oust Sri Lanka from the tournament. A win for the Lankans will keep things in the balance.
This is a massive clash for both sides as they renew their rivalry. An exciting contest is on the cards with both sides aiming for crucial points.
What is the Context of the SL vs NZ match?
New Zealand moved base to Colombo for the Pakistan game after playing their group stage games in India. It remains to be seen how they adapt, given that the clash was washed out. The Kiwis will aim to flatten out the threat posed by the Lankans.
Sri Lanka will be aiming to bounce back from two successive defeats. Zimbabwe beat them in the final clash of their group stage before England took them down in the Super 8s.
Both sides have quality players, and it’s perhaps the batting that will dictate this contest.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka have met 28 times overall in T20Is. The New Zealand side has won 16 games, with Sri Lanka claiming 9 wins. Two matches were tied, and one game didn’t see a result. At the T20 World Cup, New Zealand have won two matches against Sri Lanka in addition to losing three. One match ended in a tie.
New Zealand – Probable Playing XI
Finn Allen: After a strong BBL 2025-26 season, Finn Allen scored 1 run against Afghanistan before hitting 84* versus UAE. He scored 31 and 21 thereafter in NZ’s next two games.
Tim Seifert (wk): The veteran batter has been in mixed form. He hit successive fifties in this tournament. This was followed by 13 and 6.
Rachin Ravindra: He has upped the tempo in his game. Ravindra is a solid player of spin. He slammed a fifty in the final group-stage clash against Canada.
Daryl Mitchell: He brings a wealth of experience and a shield to this middle order. He has batted in 2 innings, scoring 25* and 32.
Glenn Phillips: The spin all-rounder adds solidity. Phillips is a three-dimensional player. He has slammed 42, 1 and 76* in this tournament.
Mark Chapman: A regular presence in this NZ side, Chapman owns quality runs and has a decent strike rate.
Mitchell Santner (c): The star all-rounder and captain can be a genuine match-winner. He owns 136 scalps from 130 matches. With the bat, he is closing in on 1000 runs.
Jacob Duffy: The pacer owns 62 scalps from 47 T20Is for New Zealand. He has a strong average.
James Neesham: The all-rounder has plenty of pedigree and panache. He will want to count on his experience.
Ish Sodhi: He will be the main spinner in New Zealand’s ranks. Sodhi owns 162 wickets and is three shy of becoming the highest wicket-taker for the Kiwis.
Matt Henry: The right-arm pacer will lend his voice. In 38 matches, he has picked 47 scalps for NZ in T20Is.
Player to watch out for (Finn Allen): The aggressive opener can attack any opposition and take them to the cleaners. He will be someone the Kiwis can rely on for fireworks upfront.
Sri Lanka – Probable Playing XI
Pathum Nissanka: The Lankan opener is the 3rd-highest scorer in the T20 World Cup 2026. He has scored 208 runs from 5 matches.
Kusal Perera: Having come in for Kamil Mishara, Perera hasn’t quite done well. He has scored 23 runs from 2 matches.
Kusal Mendis (wk): He has done well, scoring 186 runs from 5 matches. He averages 46.50 and has hit three fifties in this T20 WC.
Pavan Rathnayake: He owns a total of 137 runs from 5 matches at 34.25. His tally includes a fifty.
Dasun Shanaka: Across four innings, he has struck at a strike rate of 165.38. Shanaka has 86 runs at 21.50.
Kamindu Mendis: He will be keen to play a solid hand and provide fireworks again. He has a strike rate of 197.61 from four innings.
Dunith Wellalage: He has picked 7 scalps from 5 matches in this ongoing T20 WC. His economy rate is a sound 6.55.
Maheesh Theekshana: He has been solid and has 8 scalps at 17.37. He will lead the spin attack.
Dushmantha Chameera: In four matches, he has 6 wickets. He was rested for the Zimbabwe duel before playing against England.
Dilshan Madushanka: He will hope to come in and put in a shift. A lot is riding on Pathiran’s replacement. He has 2 scalps from 2 matches.
Dushan Hemantha: He owns six scalps from four matches in this T20 WC. His ER of 9.75 is on the higher side.
Player to watch out for (Kusal Mendis: Sri Lanka’s top scorer in T20Is, Mendis has a vital role to play in this match versus New Zealand.
Top Batters for Dream11
In terms of the Dream11 team pick, among batters, the likes of Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Tim Seifert can be wise picks alongside Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman.
Finn Allen can be a differential pick. He promises fireworks and a sound tempo.
Best All-Rounders to Boost Points
In terms of all-rounders, one can go with two sound options in the form of Mitchell Santner and Dasun Shanaka.
Bowlers to Watch in Dream11
The likes of Dushmantha Chameera and Matt Henry are quality bowlers. Maheesh Theekshana can be pivotal.
Captain and Vice-captain picks
Seifert can be an ideal captaincy option, with Nissanka being the vice-captain pick.
One can mix it with Allen being picked as captain and having Mendis as the vice-captain.
Pitch Report & Venue Conditions
The R. Premadasa Stadium offers a balanced surface, which is flat in nature but deteriorates as the match progresses. The surface starts favouring spinners as the game wears on. The black-soil wicket provides consistent bounce early but becomes slower and grippier, assisting turn and variable bounce in the middle overs. Pacers get minimal seam or swing, especially under day-night conditions, making it a spinner’s paradise for subcontinental clashes
Match Prediction – Who Has the Upper Hand?
All things considered, both sides will be up for it on a surface that will help spin once the game progresses. Both teams are expected to go in with heavy spin options. New Zealand will be slightly ahead, given their overall side boasts pedigree and panache.
FAQs About SL vs NZ Playing 11
Who are the key players in the SL vs NZ clash?
NZ’s Finn Allen can attack any opposition and take them to the cleaners. He will be someone the Kiwis can rely on for fireworks upfront. For Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis holds the cards. He can be an ideal bet.