ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 — New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
Match 46 | Super Eights Group 2 | 25 February 2026
MATCH DETAILS
Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium (Khettarama), Colombo, Sri Lanka Date: Wednesday, 25 February 2026 Time: 7:00 PM IST | 6:30 PM PKT | Toss at 6:30 PM IST Live Streaming: Star Sports Network, JioHotstar (India) | Sky Sport (NZ) | SonyLIV Weather: 30–31°C with moderate rain risk in Colombo
This is a must-watch Super Eights clash. For Sri Lanka, it is a do-or-die game after their batting collapsed to 95 all out against England, losing by 51 runs. New Zealand’s opener against Pakistan was washed out by rain and resulted in no result (1 point each), so they desperately need a proper win to stay in the semi-final race.
NEW ZEALAND — T20 WORLD CUP 2026 TIMELINE
New Zealand qualified from Group D with 3 wins from 4 matches. Their only group stage loss came against South Africa. Their Super Eights campaign began frustratingly with a rainout against Pakistan.
| Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Feb | NZ vs Afghanistan | WIN | NZ 181/6 — AFG 130/7 |
| 17 Feb | NZ vs Canada | WIN | NZ chased comfortably in 15.1 overs |
| 19 Feb | NZ vs UAE | WIN | Convincing win |
| 21 Feb | NZ vs South Africa | LOSS | Only group stage defeat |
| 23 Feb | NZ vs Pakistan (Super 8) | NO RESULT | Washed out — 1 pt each |
| 25 Feb | NZ vs Sri Lanka (Super 8) | TODAY | To be played |
SRI LANKA — T20 WORLD CUP 2026 TIMELINE
Sri Lanka is a co-host of this tournament and qualified from Group B. They had a solid group stage but suffered a shock loss to Zimbabwe before being dismantled by England in their Super Eights opener.
| Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Feb | SL vs Ireland | WIN | Comfortable victory |
| 17 Feb | SL vs Oman | WIN | Oman brushed aside |
| 19 Feb | SL vs Australia | WIN | Impressive home win |
| 21 Feb | SL vs Zimbabwe | LOSS | Shock group stage defeat |
| 23 Feb | SL vs England (Super 8) | LOSS | SL 95 all out — lost by 51 runs |
| 25 Feb | SL vs New Zealand (Super 8) | TODAY | Must-win match |
SUPER EIGHTS GROUP 2 — POINTS TABLE
| Team | M | W | L | NR | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | +positive |
| Pakistan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — |
| New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Sri Lanka | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | negative |
After today’s match, the table will shift significantly. Sri Lanka must win to avoid near-certain elimination. New Zealand need a win to build net run rate and move closer to the semi-finals. For More details visit : https://thegenzcricket.com/icc-mens-t20-world-cup-2026/.
SQUADS & PROBABLE PLAYING XIs
New Zealand Probable XI: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson
Recent Squad Updates — New Zealand: Lockie Ferguson is fully fit and back in the pace attack. Daryl Mitchell has been in strong form with the bat in the middle overs. No injury concerns reported heading into this match.
Sri Lanka Probable XI Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka
Recent Squad Updates — Sri Lanka: Dushmantha Chameera has recovered from a minor niggle and is expected to play. After the England’s collapse, Sri Lanka’s think tank is expected to shuffle the batting order. There is pressure on Shanaka to step up as a batter after poor recent form.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Glenn Phillips (NZ) — 295 runs in this tournament at a strike rate of 164.8. He is the most destructive batter in this match and handles spin conditions well, which is critical on the Khettarama pitch.
Mitchell Santner (NZ) — In 11 T20I matches against Sri Lanka, Santner has taken 14 wickets at an economy of just 6.38. On a spin-friendly Colombo surface, he could be the match-winner with the ball.
Pathum Nissanka (SL) — 208 runs in 5 matches this tournament at a 52.00 average and 154.07 strike rate, including one century and one fifty. Sri Lanka’s entire batting structure depends on him giving a solid start.
Kusal Mendis (SL) — 325 runs this tournament at 133.19 strike rate. Sri Lanka’s most important batter, and they collapsed heavily last match without a contribution from him.
Maheesh Theekshana (SL) — 8 wickets so far, the highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka. On a home pitch he knows well, he is dangerous against any batting lineup.
Dunith Wellalage (SL) — 7 wickets in this tournament. His left-arm spin in the powerplay and early middle overs is a real weapon at Khettarama.
Recent Post: https://thegenzcricket.com/pakistan-cricket-team-vs-england-cricket-team-timeline/
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
| Category | New Zealand | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Overall T20I Wins | 16 | 11 |
| T20 World Cup Wins (vs each other) | 2 | 3 |
| Form (Last 5 T20Is) | W, W, L, W, NR | W, W, W, L, L |
| Tournament Run Rate | 10.37 (Best in group) | 8.92 |
| Total Wickets Taken (Tournament) | 14 | 30 |
This will be the 29th T20I between these two sides. New Zealand leads overall,l but Sri Lanka has the edge specifically in T20 World Cup encounters.
PITCH & CONDITIONS
The R. Premadasa pitch is the most spin-friendly surface in this World Cup. Dew in the evening typically helps the chasing side, which makes winning the toss and choosing to field first a strong option. Spinners have dominated here throughout the tournament. The pitch slows down as the match progresses, which makes first innings totals of 150–160 highly competitive.
MATCH ANALYSIS & PREDICTION
Sri Lanka are at home, and their spinners know this pitch intimately, but their batting was completely exposed against England’s pace attack. If New Zealand’s pacers — Ferguson and Henry — get early wickets, Sri Lanka could crumble again.
New Zealand’s balanced attack, superior batting depth, and Santner’s historically dominant record against Sri Lanka give them the edge. Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra at the top can take the attack to Sri Lanka’s spinners, while Santner can destroy Sri Lanka’s middle order with the ball.
Sri Lanka’s only realistic path to victory runs through Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, providing a big opening stand, and Theekshana restricting New Zealand’s power hitters early in the innings.
Prediction: New Zealand — They have the superior all-round depth, better recent form as a unit, and their key players match up very well against Sri Lanka’s strengths. However, if the dew comes in heavily and Sri Lanka win the toss, this match becomes very competitive.
Predicted Winner: New Zealand (55-45 in their favor)
FAQs
Q1: When does NZ vs SL match start today? Match starts at 7:00 PM IST (6:30 PM PKT) on 25 February 2026 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Toss at 6:30 PM IST.
Q2: Where to watch NZ vs SL live? Star Sports and JioHotstar in India, Sky Sport in New Zealand, Dialog TV in Sri Lanka, and ICC.tv for international viewers.
Q3: Why is this match so important? Sri Lanka are bottom of Super Eights Group 2 with zero points — a loss basically eliminates them. New Zealand have only 1 point after their washed-out match against Pakistan, so they need a proper win to stay in the semi-final race.
Q4: Who are the key players to watch? Glenn Phillips (NZ) has 295 runs at a 164.8 strike rate this tournament. Mitchell Santner has 14 wickets against Sri Lanka in T20Is at just 6.38 economy. For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka (208 runs, 52.00 avg) and Maheesh Theekshana (8 wickets) are the match-winners.
Q5: What is the head-to-head record between NZ and SL in T20Is? New Zealand lead overall with 16 wins to Sri Lanka’s 11. However, in T20 World Cup matches specifically, Sri Lanka have the edge at 3-2. This will be their 29th T20I encounter.
