Spin is set to take centre stage when Pakistan lock horns with New Zealand in the opening Super 8 clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday, February 21.
Few rivalries in modern T20 cricket have been as frequent as this one. Between October 2022 and April 2025, the two sides met a staggering 41 times across formats, including 24 T20Is. But none of those contests carry stakes quite like this one.
Both teams cruised past lower-ranked opposition in the group stage but were humbled by genuine heavyweights — Pakistan by India, and New Zealand by South Africa. Now, among the tournament’s “middle powers”, this clash could shape the semifinal race.
Pakistan hold a slight advantage in familiarity. They have already played an evening game at this venue earlier in the tournament and leaned heavily on spin — a tactic expected to continue under Salman Ali Agha’s leadership.
New Zealand, on the other hand, will have to recalibrate quickly. Having played most of their group games on seam-friendly Indian tracks, Mitchell Santner’s side now walks into a surface that traditionally rewards slow bowlers and patience.
PAK vs NZ Match Details
- Match: Pakistan vs New Zealand, Super 8
- Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
- Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium
- Start Time: 7:00 PM IST
- Toss Time: 6:30 PM IST
Pakistan vs New Zealand Live Streaming Details
Which TV Channels Will Broadcast PAK vs NZ Match Live?
The match will be televised live in India on:
- Star Sports Network
How To Watch PAK vs NZ Live Streaming Online?
The live streaming will be available on:
- JioHotstar app and website
PAK vs NZ Pitch Report – R Premadasa Stadium
The Premadasa surface has traditionally favoured spinners. The pitch slows down as the game progresses, gripping and turning sharply under lights.
Bigger square boundaries make power-hitting risky, and teams often rely on strike rotation through the middle overs. However, there have been exceptions — including a recent high-scoring thriller at this venue.
Expect a tactical battle dominated by spin. A score around 160-170 could be competitive.
Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)
| Matches | Pakistan Won | New Zealand Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | 24 | 23 | 2 |
Interestingly, while New Zealand have dominated recent bilateral series, Pakistan have enjoyed greater success against the Kiwis in T20 World Cups.
Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)
- Pakistan: W, W, W, L, W
- New Zealand: L, W, W, L, W
PAK vs NZ Probable Playing XIs
Pakistan Probable XI
Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz/Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand Probable XI
Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy
Key Players To Watch
- Abrar Ahmed – Could thrive on this spin-friendly surface.
- Babar Azam – Searching for rhythm but remains Pakistan’s anchor.
- Mitchell Santner – New Zealand’s tactical brain and primary spinner.
- Glenn Phillips – Capable of shifting momentum in a few overs.
Full Squads
Pakistan Squad
Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
New Zealand Squad
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.
When will the Pakistan vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026 match take place?
The match will be played on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Where will the PAK vs NZ Super 8 match be played?
The match will be held at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
What time will the toss for PAK vs NZ match take place?
The toss will be held at 6:30 PM IST.
What time will the PAK vs NZ match start?
The match will begin at 7:00 PM IST.
Where to watch the live telecast of Pakistan vs New Zealand match in India?
The live telecast will be available on Star Sports Network.
Where to watch the live streaming of Pakistan vs New Zealand match online?
The match will be streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website.
What is the head-to-head record between Pakistan and New Zealand in T20Is?
Pakistan lead 24-23 in 49 T20I meetings, with two matches ending in no result.
What is the pitch like at R Premadasa Stadium?
The pitch is spin-friendly, slows down under lights and makes strokeplay challenging in the middle overs.
