The first Super Eights clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 between Pakistan and New Zealand has been delayed due to persistent rain at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday.
Rain has continued in and around the venue since Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first, forcing officials to keep the entire ground under covers. With no clear break in the weather, the start time has been pushed back as match officials monitor conditions.
If play does not begin by 7:40:10pm Pakistan Standard Time (PST), the match will move into an overs-reduction scenario. The cut-off time is 10:16pm local time, with a minimum five-over-a-side contest only possible if action begins by then. While the cut-off for a five-over match is 9:46pm PST.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has made one change to the playing XI, bringing in Fakhar Zaman in place of Khawaja Nafay.
Pakistan vs New Zealand Playing XI
Pakistan
New Zealand
Sahibzada Farhan
Tim Seifert (wk)
Saim Ayub
Finn Allen
Salman Ali Agha (c)
Rachin Ravindra
Babar Azam
Glenn Phillips
Fakhar Zaman
Mark Chapman
Usman Khan (wk)
Daryl Mitchell
Shadab Khan
Mitchell Santner (c)
Mohammad Nawaz
Jimmy Neesham
Faheem Ashraf
Matt Henry
Salman Mirza
Locke Ferguson
Usman Tariq
Ish Sodhi
