Who: New Zealand vs Pakistan
Content: 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eight
Date and time: Saturday, February 21st, 7pm (13:30 GMT)
Location: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka
How to follow: All content will be broadcast on Al Jazeera Sports from 10:30 GMT, ahead of the text commentary stream.
The Super Eights stage of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins on Saturday with Pakistan, seen as dark horses for the title, playing against New Zealand.
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Pakistan was the previous winner, but this time, like New Zealand, they are outside the country’s favorites.
However, both have the ability to take down the top names in the game in an instant.
Al Jazeera Sports is keeping an eye on the matchup between the two contenders for the title as the second phase of the tournament begins. The pair will be hoping for a landmark as the second phase of the tournament begins.
Pakistan looks set to shake up the ‘mostly men’ tag with a view to winning the T20 World Cup
Shadab Khan said he believes Pakistan can win the T20 World Cup after producing their best performance in the tournament on Wednesday to secure a spot in the final Super Eights.
Pakistan’s 97-point victory over Namibia in Colombo, a huge 102-point victory, marked a remarkable bounce-back after a loss to arch-rivals India that left them on the brink of elimination.
“I didn’t take the (Namibia) match lightly after talking so much about the one game against India,” said Shadab, who scored an easy 22-ball 36 in the match against the Africans to win 3-19.
“We are on the right track and following the process to achieve our goal of winning the World Cup,” he added.
But Shadab warned that the Super Eight would be a step up for England and co-hosts Sri Lanka, who await Pakistan after the New Zealand Test.
“It’s going to be a tough stage because there are eight good teams, and every match will be a high-pressure match,” Shadab said.
How did Pakistan reach the T20 World Cup Super Eights?
Opener Sahibzada Farhan secured Pakistan’s first unbeaten record in T20 internationals with a 199-3 victory over Namibia.
Spinners Usman Tariq and Shadab Khan then shared seven wickets to defeat Namibia in 17.3 overs.
It was not just a result but the performance that Pakistan sorely needed after their resounding victory over the Netherlands in the opening game of the tournament. The subsequent victory over the United States (revenge of the come-from-behind in the 2024 tournament) brought about improvement, but India’s batting left much to be desired.
How did New Zealand reach the T20 World Cup Super Eights?
New Zealand ended the group stage with an eight-wicket win against Canada, but Canadian opener Yuvraj Samra gave the New Zealanders a scare with his brilliant 110 off 65 balls.
Glenn Phillips (76) and Rachin Ravindra (59) scored unbeaten half-centuries as New Zealand chased down a target of 174 in 4.5 overs to claim their third win in four matches.
They suffered a heavy seven-wicket defeat to group winners South Africa, followed by wins over Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Group leaders South Africa had already advanced to the Super Eights with a hat-trick of wins.
Why didn’t Mitchell Santner captain New Zealand against Canada?
New Zealand T20 captain and key spinner Mitchell Santner missed the win against Canada due to illness.
Daryl Mitchell came on as a substitute to lead the Kiwis in the post-regular game, but Santner is expected to return for the match against Pakistan.
Santner’s performance could be crucial as spin will once again be in the spotlight in Colombo. Ish Sodhi could come into the side at the expense of a seam bowler to strengthen spin options.
Will Shaheen Shah Afridi return to Pakistan to play against New Zealand?
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s absence from the final group stage match against Namibia was a big shock. Despite a poor performance in the first three matches, Shaheen took a wicket in each match, but his economy rate was considered expensive.
Shaheen’s absence was seen as a left-arm seamer’s absence, with Salman Mirza taking his place in the match against Namibia, but he is expected to return for the match against New Zealand.
What is New Zealand’s T20 World Cup record?
New Zealand are yet to win a T20 World Cup title, with the closest they will ever get to the title coming in 2021, when they lost to Australia in the final, and the postponed 2020 tournament.
What is Pakistan’s T20 World Cup record?
Pakistan have been finalists three times but have lifted the trophy only once.
India reached the final for the first time in 2007, winning by five points.
In the second edition of the tournament in 2009, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka in the final, but they had to wait 13 years to play in the next final, only for England to win by five wickets.
What happened the last time New Zealand played Pakistan in a T20?
The last time the two teams met was in March last year in five consecutive T20 matches in New Zealand.
New Zealand won the series 4-1, winning by eight wickets after restricting the tourists to 128-9 in the final match, with Salman Agha scoring 51 and Shadab Khan 28. Only one other Pakistan batsman reached double figures, opening batsman Mohammad Haris, who scored 11 runs.
direct confrontation
This will be the 50th meeting between the countries in the shortest format of cricket. The margin of victory between the two teams is close, with Pakistan winning 24 and New Zealand winning 23.
New Zealand national team predictions
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (w), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Darryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy
Expected Pakistan team
Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (w), Khawaja Nafai, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq
New Zealand T20 Form Guide
LWWLW (latest results last)
Pakistan T20 Form Guide
WWWWW (latest results last)
