Overview:
Pakistan have featured in 8 matches. They own 5 wins and 3 defeats from these 8 games. New Zealand have played two T20Is here. They claimed wins in both games.
New Zealand and Pakistan gear up for Match 41 of the T20 World Cup 2026 on Saturday, February 21. This is the first match of the Super 8 stage. The 7:00 pm IST clash will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. This is a key Super 8 Group 2 clash.
Earlier, Pakistan finished 2nd in a 5-team Group A, whereas New Zealand finished 2nd in Group D behind South Africa. Besides Pakistan and New Zealand, the likes of England and Sri Lanka complete Super 8 Group 2.
This will be a massive contest between the two teams as they aim for early momentum in Group 2.
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 started by winning their first two T20 World Cup Group A games. They defeated the Netherlands before earning another win over the USA. They were beaten by India before a victory over Namibia helped them gain qualification to the 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 of their four games in Group D. Their only defeat was against the Proteas.
What is the H2H record between New Zealand and Pakistan?
New Zealand and Pakistan have met 49 times at the T20 World Cup. The New Zealand side has won 23 games, with Pakistan claiming 24. Two matches didn’t produce any result. At the T20 World Cup, New Zealand have won two matches against Pakistan in addition to losing 5.
Probable XI of both teams
Pakistan probable XI for the match against New Zealand: 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 probable XI for the match against Pakistan: 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 of the Stadium
The R. Premadasa Stadium is located in Colombo. It was known as the Khettarama Stadium until 1994. The stadium was established in 1986 and has a capacity of 35,000 people. The stadium hosted the ICC T20 World Cup 2012 final between Sri Lanka and the West Indies. Notably, the stadium recently hosted the ICC Women’s World Cup.
What is the Pitch like at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo?
The R. Premadasa Stadium offers a balanced surface that 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.
Key Stats & Records at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
A total of 53 T20I matches have been played here. India have played 15 times here, winning 11 and losing 4. Pakistan have featured in 8 matches. They own 5 wins and 3 defeats from these 8 games. New Zealand have played two T20Is here. They claimed wins in both games.
Bangladesh own the highest total here, scoring 215/5 versus Sri Lanka in 2018. Pakistan’s best total here is 175/5 versus Sri Lanka in 2015. New Zealand’s best score here is 170/4 versus Sri Lanka in 2009.
Pakistan’s lowest team total reads 114/10 versus India in the 2026 T20 World Cup. NZ’s lowest score here is 141/8 versus the Lankans in 2009.
Kusal Perera owns the most runs here. He has amassed 464 runs at 25.77. Among Pakistan batters, former star Umar Akmal has 182 runs from 7 matches. Ross Taylor has 76 runs from 2 matches.
Wanindu Haaranga has picked 24 scalps at the R. Premadasa Stadium. As many as 14 bowlers own four-fers here.
PAK vs NZ: Weather Forecast – Will Rain Play a Role?
Rain is likely to disrupt the New Zealand vs Pakistan Super 8 clash in Colombo on February 21. Showers are forecast from around 7 PM local time and could affect much of the first half, potentially delaying the start if conditions impact the outfield. Temperatures are expected to hover between 24–26°C, with humidity levels above 80%.
Pakistan vs New Zealand: Pitch Advantage for Which Side?
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. Pakistan will be slightly ahead, given their spinners are a step ahead of their counterparts.
FAQs – Pitch Report for R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
What is the pitch report for R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
The R. Premadasa Stadium offers a balanced surface that 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.
What is New Zealand’s and Pakistan’s record at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo?
Pakistan have featured in 8 matches. They own 5 wins and 3 defeats from these 8 games. New Zealand have played two T20Is here. They claimed wins in both games.