New Zealand vs Pakistan: T20 World Cup Super Eights – teams, start, lineups

New Zealand and Pakistan play the first game of the Super Eights stage at the T20 World Cup with both eyeing a tilt at the title.

Who: New Zealand vs Pakistan
What: 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights
When: Saturday, February 21, at 7pm (13:30 GMT)
Where: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha, left, celebrates with Usman Khan after winning T20 World Cup cricket match against Namibia.

The Super Eights stage of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup starts on Saturday with a match between two sides considered dark horses for the title, New Zealand and Pakistan.

Pakistan are the previous winners of the competition, but sit outside those ranked as favourites in this edition, as do New Zealand.

Both, however, have the capability of taking down the game’s top names in an instant.

Here is a look at the match-up between two of the contenders for the crown, who will hope to lay down a marker as the second phase of the tournament gets under way.

Pakistan look to shake ‘nearly men’ tag

Shadab Khan said Pakistan believe they can go on and win the T20 World Cup after producing their best performance of the tournament to secure their last Super Eights berth on Wednesday.

Bowling out Namibia for 97 to win by a massive 102 runs in Colombo meant Pakistan bounced back in style after a defeat to archrivals India had left them in danger of elimination.

“We didn’t take the Namibia game lightly after so much talk about one match against India,” said Shadab, who scored a brisk 22-ball 36 and grabbed 3-19 in the match.

“We are on the right track to achieve the goal of winning the World Cup, and we are following a process,” he added.

Shadab warned that the Super Eights will be a step up, with England and co-hosts Sri Lanka awaiting Pakistan after the New Zealand test.

“There are eight good teams, so it will be a tough stage, and all matches will be high-pressure games,” he said.

How did Pakistan reach the Super Eights?

Pakistan rode on an undefeated maiden T20 international century by opener Sahibzada Farhan to post 199-3 in their win against Namibia.

Spinners Usman Tariq and Shadab Khan then shared seven wickets to dismiss Namibia in 17.3 overs.

It was a much-needed performance after:

• An underwhelming win against the Netherlands

• A victory over the USA

• A heavy defeat against India

How did New Zealand reach the Super Eights?

New Zealand capped their group stage with an eight-wicket win against Canada, although Canadian opener Yuvraj Samra’s 110 off 65 balls provided a scare.

Glenn Phillips (76) and Rachin Ravindra (59) smashed unbeaten half-centuries as New Zealand chased down 174 with 4.5 overs to spare for their third win in four matches.

Earlier results included:

• A seven-wicket defeat by South Africa

• Wins over Afghanistan

• Victory against the United Arab Emirates

Why didn’t Mitchell Santner captain New Zealand against Canada?

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner missed the Canada match due to illness.

Daryl Mitchell stepped in to lead the side, but Santner is expected to return against Pakistan.

With spin likely to play a key role in Colombo, Santner’s availability could be crucial. Ish Sodhi may also come into the side to strengthen spin options.

Will Shaheen Shah Afridi return?

Shaheen Shah Afridi was omitted from Pakistan’s final group-stage match against Namibia.

Although he picked up a wicket in each of the first three games, his economy rate was considered expensive.

Salman Mirza replaced him for the Namibia match, but Shaheen is expected to return against New Zealand.

T20 World Cup Records

New Zealand

• Yet to win a T20 World Cup

• Runners-up in 2021 (lost to Australia in final)

Pakistan

• Three-time finalists

• Champions in 2009

• Finalists in 2007 (lost to India)

• Finalists in 2022 (lost to England)

Last T20 Meeting

The sides last met in a five-game series in New Zealand last March.

New Zealand won the series 4-1, including an eight-wicket win in the final match after restricting Pakistan to 128-9.

Head-to-Head

This will be the 50th T20 meeting between the sides.

• Pakistan: 24 wins

• New Zealand: 23 wins

Predicted New Zealand XI

Finn Allen
Tim Seifert (w)
Rachin Ravindra
Glenn Phillips
Mark Chapman
Daryl Mitchell
Mitchell Santner (c)
James Neesham
Matt Henry
Lockie Ferguson
Jacob Duffy

Predicted Pakistan XI

Sahibzada Farhan
Saim Ayub
Salman Ali Agha (c)
Babar Azam
Usman Khan (w)
Khawaja Nafay
Shadab Khan
Mohammad Nawaz
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Abrar Ahmed
Usman Tariq

Form Guide

New Zealand: L-W-W-L-W
Pakistan: W-W-W-L-W