Overview:
Sri Lanka have featured in 34 matches here at this stadium. They own a 9-25 win-loss record. The Kiwis have played three matches, winning two with one game not having a result.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka gear up for Match 46 of the T20 World Cup 2026 on Wednesday, February 25. The 7:00 pm IST clash will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. This is a key Super 8 Group 2 clash.
New Zealand saw their Super 8s opener against Pakistan get washed out due to rain. Both sides collected a point each. On the other hand, Sri Lanka lost against England to start with a defeat.
Earlier, in the group stage, the New Zealand side finished 2nd in Group D behind South Africa. Sri Lanka also finished 2nd behind Zimbabwe in their group.
This will be a massive contest between the two teams as they aim to earn valuable points. A defeat for the Lankans will almost certainly put them out of reckoning for the semis. If NZ win, they will get a valuable three points and boost their chances.
New Zealand T20 World Cup squad
Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Cole McConchie, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.
New Zealand will hope to offer quality cricket and feed on Sri Lanka’s inconsistency. The Lankans have suffered successive defeats against Zimbabwe and England.
Sri Lanka T20 World Cup squad
Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan.
Sri Lanka will hope to get things done in front of their home crowd. It’s a massive clash for them under the circumstances. They need to up the ante and find that form that helped them down Australia earlier.
What is the H2H record between New Zealand and Sri Lanka?
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.
Probable XI of both teams
Sri Lanka probable XI for the match against New Zealand: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka.
New Zealand probable XI for the match against Sri Lanka: 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, 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.
Key Stats & Records at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
A total of 53 T20I matches have been played here. The average run rate for teams batting first here is 7.72, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Sri Lanka have featured in 34 matches here at this stadium. They own a 9-25 win-loss record. The Kiwis have played three matches, winning two with one game not having a result.
Bangladesh own the highest total here, scoring 215/5 versus Sri Lanka in 2018. Sri Lanka’s best score is 214/6 versus Bangladesh in 2018. New Zealand’s best score here is 170/4 versus Sri Lanka in 2009.
Sri Lanka’s lowest team total reads 101/10 versus the West Indies in 2012. 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 New Zealand batters, former ace Ross Taylor managed 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.
SL vs NZ: Weather Forecast – Will Rain Play a Role?
Rain is unlikely to disrupt the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Super 8 clash in Colombo on February 25. The weather in Colombo will be clear on Wednesday evening. The temperature during the scheduled time will be around 26°C, and the humidity is expected to be 85 percent.
SL vs NZ: 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. New Zealand will be slightly ahead, given their overall team is 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, 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.
What is New Zealand’s and Sri Lanka’s record at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo?
Sri Lanka have featured in 34 matches here at this stadium. They own a 9-25 win-loss record. The Kiwis have played three matches, winning two with one game not having a result.