The T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stage ignited at R Premadasa Stadium, where Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat against New Zealand. Captain Salman Agha’s bold call sets up a pivotal encounter in Colombo on Saturday evening.
A solitary tweak for Pakistan sees Fakhar Zaman replace Khwaja Nafees, boosting their explosive potential. New Zealand counters with a trio of changes, headlined by the returns of Ish Sodhi and Lockie Ferguson, sharpening their bowling edge.
Pakistan’s group phase was a triumph aside from the India debacle, with spin dominance key to success. Sahibzada Farhan stole the spotlight, plundering 220 runs at 164 SR across four games, his Namibia century a highlight that echoes into this fixture.
All-round maestro Shadab Khan continues to deliver consistently, but broader contributions are essential against New Zealand’s varied attack. Pakistan’s confirmed XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Sam Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq.
New Zealand’s group exploits were led by Tim Seifert’s 173 runs, the tournament’s top scorer for his side. Glenn Phillips roared back with 76 from 36 deliveries versus Canada, a performance they crave replicated to overhaul any target.
Team sheets finalized: New Zealand – Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (capt), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson.
This matchup blends Pakistan’s resurgence with New Zealand’s consistency, promising drama as Super 8 narratives unfold.