New Zealand, Pakistan open T20 World Cup Super Eights in Colombo

Pakistan and New Zealand open Super Eights stage

The Super Eights stage of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins on Saturday with a match between New Zealand and Pakistan in Colombo. Both teams are considered dark horses for the title. The match starts at 7pm local time (13:30 GMT) at the R Premadasa Stadium.

Pakistan are the defending champions but are not ranked among the outright favorites this year. New Zealand also sits outside that top tier. The game marks the start of the tournament's second phase.

Pakistan's confidence after Namibia rout

Pakistan secured their Super Eights berth with a dominant 102-run victory over Namibia on Wednesday. All-rounder Shadab Khan said the performance proved the team is on the right track to win the World Cup.

"We are following a process," Shadab said. He scored 36 runs and took 3-19 in the match. Opener Sahibzada Farhan anchored the innings with an unbeaten century.

Shadab warned the next stage will be tougher. "There are eight good teams, so it will be a tough stage, and all matches will be high-pressure games," he said. Pakistan's group also includes England and Sri Lanka.

New Zealand's form and key return

New Zealand capped their group stage with an eight-wicket win against Canada. The victory was built on unbeaten half-centuries from Glenn Phillips (76) and Rachin Ravindra (59).

Captain Mitchell Santner missed that match due to illness but is expected to return for the Pakistan game. His availability is crucial as spin is predicted to play a major role on the Colombo pitch.

The Kiwis' group stage included:

• A heavy defeat to group winners South Africa
• Victories against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates
• The commanding win over Canada

Team news and selection dilemmas

Pakistan's selection raised eyebrows when star seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi was dropped for the Namibia match. Despite taking a wicket in each of the first three games, his economy rate was deemed too high.

His return is expected against New Zealand. For the Kiwis, Ish Sodhi could be brought in to bolster the spin attack, potentially at the expense of a seam bowler.

The predicted lineups are:

• New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy
• Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq

A history of close contests

This match will be the 50th T20 meeting between the two nations. The head-to-head record is narrowly edged by Pakistan, with 24 wins to New Zealand's 23.

New Zealand won their most recent series 4-1 at home in March last year. However, New Zealand has never won a T20 World Cup, finishing as runners-up to Australia in 2021.

Pakistan are three-time finalists but have only lifted the trophy once, in 2009. They lost finals in 2007 to India and in 2022 to England.