New Zealand will face Pakistan in the first Super 8 match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which will be played on Saturday, 21 February, at the R. Premadasa Stadium. New Zealand performed well in the group stage, winning three of their four matches and losing one and finishing second in the Group D points table. They defeated Canada by 8 wickets in their last league match, chasing a target of 174 runs and achieving it in 15.1 overs.

On the other hand, Pakistan also won three of their four matches and finished second in the Group A points table. In their final group match, they defeated Namibia by 102 runs. Batting first, Pakistan scored 199 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Opening batsman Sahibzada Farhan batted brilliantly and scored 100 runs in 58 balls including 11 fours and 4 sixes. 

Also Read: 'India will not...' - Former Pakistan quick bowler makes huge statement on India's semi final's chances in ongoing T20 World Cup 2026

NZ vs PAK Match Details

• Match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 41st Match

• Date: 21st February 2026

• Time: 7.00 PM IST

• Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo 

• Live Streaming: JioHotstar 

NZ vs PAK Weather Report

Pitch Report - R. Premadasa Stadium

The surface has been conducive to batting and with the outfield being fast batters are rewarded for their stroke play.

• Spin-friendly surface 

• Low-scoring ground

• Big boundaries 

NZ vs PAK Recent Form

NZ vs PAK Head-to-Head Record

• NZ Wins - 23

• PAK Wins - 24

Top Batters to Watch – NZ vs PAK

• Sahibzada Farhan (PAK): 220 runs in this tournament 

• Tim Seifert (NZ): 173 runs in this tournament 

• Finn Allen (NZ): 137 runs in this tournament 

Top Bowlers to Watch – NZ vs PAK

• Usman Tariq (PAK): 8 wickets in this tournament 

• Saim Ayub (PAK): 5 wickets in this tournament 

• Shadab Khan (PAK): 5 wickets in this tournament 

NZ vs PAK Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If PAK bats first

• Powerplay Score: 40–45

• Predicted Total: 150–155

• Match Result: NZ to win

Scenario 2: If NZ bats first

• Powerplay Score: 50–60

• Predicted Total: 165–170

• Match Result: NZ to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

NZ vs PAK Predicted Playing XIs

New Zealand 

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

Pakistan 

Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha(c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, and Abrar Ahmed.

Why New Zealand is the favourite today

• Powerful top-order

• Good all-rounders 

• Tim Seifert’s recent form 

NZ vs PAK Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

Based on current form, team balance, and superior batting strength, New Zealand are the favourites to win this ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Finn Allen, Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips are expected to be the key performers.

Winning chances

NZ: 60%

PAK: 40%

NZ vs PAK Match FAQs