Watch: Babar Azam’s tea break steals show as rain washes out PAK vs NZ super 8 clash in T20 World Cup 2026

The T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash will see Pakistan face New Zealand at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo was washed out due to rain. The game was set to begin at 7:00 pm IST, but dark clouds and a steady downpour forced the covers to stay on right after the toss. Pakistan had won the toss and decided to bat first despite the overcast conditions. Eventually, officials had no option but to call off the match, and both teams shared one point each.

While the rain spoiled the contest, Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam grabbed attention for a different reason. Cameras spotted him relaxing on the dressing room balcony, enjoying a cup of hot tea as rain poured down in Colombo. A video of the moment rapidly went viral on social media platforms, and fans were surprised by his relaxed and cheerful mood. Shortly after, he was seen again on the balcony, this time eating fruits from a plate while waiting for the weather to clear.

Pakistan had made one change for this important match, bringing in Fakhar Zaman in place of Khawaja Nafay. Fakhar was ready to play his first game of the tournament, but the heavy rain delayed his opportunity. The Men in Green were hoping for a strong start in the Super 8 stage. However, nature had other plans, and the contest was abandoned before it could begin.

Babar’s Tough Phase Continues

Babar Azam has faced a challenging year in T20 cricket. During Pakistan’s must-win game against Namibia earlier in the tournament, he was surprisingly not sent in to bat despite usually playing at No. 4. With Pakistan at 107/2, fans expected him to walk out, but the team management chose Khawaja Nafay instead. Shadab Khan was pushed ahead of him after the third wicket fell, even then Babar was left waiting in the dressing room.

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The decision created strong reactions online, as many fans felt it was disrespectful to keep him out. However, the gamble worked when Shadab smashed a quick 36 off 22 balls. Babar has struggled in the last 12 months, missing out on Pakistan’s Asia Cup squad before returning later. He scored 202 runs in 11 innings in the BBL and managed just 66 runs in three innings in this World Cup, which explains why the management hesitated to trust him in crucial moments.