T20 World Cup 2026’s Super 8 stage kicked off on a damp note as rain completely derailed the Pakistan-New Zealand fixture at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium. Salman Ali Agha’s Pakistan, after calling correctly at the toss to bat, watched covers dominate the outfield instead of batsmen.
Pakistan’s playing XI was packed with firepower: Sahibzada Farhan, Sam Ayub, talisman Babar Azam, aggressor Fakhar Zaman, spin wizard Shadab Khan, gloveman Usman Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, and Usman Tariq. New Zealand responded under Mitchell Santner with Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, and Lockie Ferguson.
Officials had no choice but to abandon play, awarding one point to each team. Pakistan now eyes England on February 24 and Sri Lanka on 28. New Zealand’s schedule pits them against Sri Lanka on 25th and England on 27th.
Both teams stormed into Super 8s with 3-1 group records. Pakistan overcame Netherlands (3 wkts win), USA (32-run victory), endured India’s 61-run demolition, and annihilated Namibia by 102 runs for second spot. New Zealand started with Afghanistan (5 wkts), routed UAE (10 wkts), stumbled against South Africa (7 wkts loss), but recovered against Canada (8 wkts).
The tournament calendar continues Sunday: England-Sri Lanka at Pallekele, followed by India vs South Africa at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Clear skies are the need of the hour.