Familiarity breeds contest as Pakistan, NZ target Super Eights reset

Four giant, unmistakably blue covers, each dragged by more than 15 men, made their way to the centre of the square at the R. Premadasa Stadium. More covers followed. And more men. Until the entire playing area disappeared, sealed off under a bright, waterproof shroud. What lay beneath was suddenly a matter of patience.

Fortunately, there was no match on at the time. There will be one in just over 24 hours.

The Super Eights have arrived in Colombo with the showers that had been forecast for the better part of a week. The rain has done more than cool the city; it has sharpened the sense of a restart. A tournament that has rushed through 20 teams and three matches a day now narrows. Fewer games, clearer stakes, and the spotlight no longer scattered.

And beneath those covers, quite literally, lies the uncertainty that will define this next phase. The playing surfaces may or may not be new but there will be fresh oppositions playing on it, fresh calculations to take into account, and for the two teams set to open the Super Eights, a chance to begin again.

Both Pakistan and New Zealand arrive into this second leg with three wins apiece, but a sense of unfulfillment persists. Each of them lost to the opponent they would have most wanted to beat in their group, and in front of record crowds. New Zealand lost to South Africa in Ahmedabad, Pakistan lost to India in Colombo. Those were the measuring-stick games. A rematch may or may not happen later in the tournament, but the surest way to earn that opportunity is to navigate this phase cleanly and book a semifinal spot.

It feels fitting, then, that these two should open the next chapter. This will be their 50th T20I meeting, a rivalry that's been built on familiarity rather than needle. Of the previous 49, Pakistan have won 24, New Zealand 23, with two no-results. The margins, like the rivalry, are tight.

Familiarity, in this case, does not breed contempt; it sharpens the contest. Especially at the R. Premadasa, where surfaces have tended to be low and slow, demanding patience as much as power. New Zealand have been among the more accomplished sides against spin in this T20 World Cup cycle, second only to India in strike-rate and the most effective at limiting dot balls.

Pakistan, meanwhile, appear committed to doubling down on a spin-heavy identity. And on a surface likely to reward turn, that ideological bet will be tested against a batting unit comfortable in disrupting and clearing the ropes.

When: Saturday, 21 February, 2026, at 7:00 PM local

Where: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

What to expect: It is likely to be the same centre strip on which Zimbabwe chased down 179 against Sri Lanka, though expect a little more wear and tear this time around. Rain is predicted for the latter half of the day, but island forecasts have a habit of shifting quickly so keep an eye out.

Results at this venue in this T20 World Cup have bucked wider trends. Four of the five matches here have been won by sides batting first. The eight preceding games here were all won by chasing teams, often by sizeable margins.

Team news

Pakistan

Shaheen Afridi was left out and Babar Azam demoted in the previous fixture against Namibia at the SSC. The question now is where Pakistan see Babar's optimal entry point. They also replaced Abrar Ahmad with an extra batter in Khawaja Nafay, and reading Mike Hesson's press conference between the lines, it's set to stay that way.

Probable XI:Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq

New Zealand

Mitchell Santner, who missed the last match because of a "dodgy burger" and resulting illness, looks "sprightly" in Mark Chapman's words, and is all set to be back to lead the side. Lockie Ferguson is on his way back to Colombo after his short paternity leave but is unlikely to be risked after a long flight. Ish Sodhi could play his first match of the tournament, given the slow-low conditions, potentially at the expense of Kyle Jamieson.

Probable XI: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi

Did you know?

- Pakistan lead New Zealand 5-2 in T20 World Cups, including semi-final wins in 2009 and 2022.

- Salman Agha strikes at 106.08 against pace in the powerplay and 110.74 against spin in overs 7-15 in all T20Is.

- New Zealand, alongside South Africa, have the best run rate (10.33) in overs 1-6 so far.

What they said:

"Usman Tariq has a pretty unique action with the way that he stops at the crease, so that's something to factor in. But Pakistan have a number of really good spinners, and each poses their own threat. They're one of the teams we've played most frequently in recent years, so we're well aware of what they'll bring." - Mark Chapman on Pakistan's spin challenge

"Look, it's what the role the team requires. And Babar's well aware of that. I think he's well aware that his strike rate in powerplay in T20 World Cups is less than 100. So, clearly, that [batting in the powerplay] is not a role that we think he'd be best suited for. We think he's a fine player through the middle, if required in terms of if we're in a little bit of trouble." - Mike Hesson on Babar Azam