🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: S8 - M46: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka🏏

🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: S8 - M46: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka at RPS Colombo on 25/02/2026 at 7PM IST🏏

New Zealand and Sri Lanka will face off in Match 46 of the Super Eights of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 25.

New Zealand’s Super Eight opener against Pakistan was washed out without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain in Colombo. The abandonment meant the Black Caps had to settle for a solitary point. Before that, they had enjoyed a strong group-stage campaign, registering three wins out of four games played.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are coming off a heavy 51-run defeat to England in their first Super Eight clash. Bowled out cheaply in a spin-dominated encounter, the hosts now sit under pressure, with net run rate already taking a hit.

Team news:

Sri Lanka

Kamil Mishara came in for Kusal Perera in the last match and it looks like Sri Lanka are likely to stick to Mishara for this match as well.

Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis(w), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka

New Zealand

Mitchell Santner confirmed that all 15 players are available to pick. For their last match against Pakistan that was unfortunately rained out, New Zealand brought in legspinner Ish Sodhi for the first time in their Playing XI, with Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry the two front-line pacers. With spin likely to call the shots again, there's little reason why they would want to change that combination.

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

R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo Pitch Report

The iconic stadium from Sri Lanka has hosted five matches so far in the tournament. Of these, four times team batting first has emerged victorious, while only once has the team chasing won. However, chasing has been the preferred choice, and the trend is expected to continue.

R.Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama, Colombo Weather This Week

R.Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama, Colombo, Sri Lanka weather forecasted for the next 10 days will have maximum temperature of 29°c / 84°f on Sun 01. Min temperature will be 24°c / 75°f on Tue 03. Most precipitation falling will be 4.36 mm / 0.17 inch on Sat 28. Windiest day is expected to see wind of up to 21 kmph / 13 mph on Wed 25.

NZ vs SL Head-to-Head Record in T20s

Matches Played 28

NZ Won 16

SL Won 09

Tied / No Results 03

First-ever Fixture December 02, 2006

Last Fixture January 02, 2025

NZ vs SL Probable Best Performers

Probable Best Batter: Pathum Nissanka

Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka could be the best batter in the upcoming game against the New Zealand team, as he has managed to hit 208 runs in five games at an average of 52.00 and a strike rate of 154.07. With one ton and one and a half centuries to his name, the star batter has been in fine touch and will look to continue the same rhythm in his team's must-win clash.

Probable Best Bowler: Mitchell Santner

New Zealand's skipper, Mitchell Santner, could be the best bowler in his team's forthcoming game. The spinner has had a quiet tournament so far, claiming just a solitary wicket in four innings. However, with the pitch assisting spinners, Santner will be hopeful to bounce back strongly.

Today's Match Prediction: Team batting first to win the match

New Zealand

First To Bat

Powerplay: 40-45

180-185

Sri Lanka

First To Bat

Powerplay: 35-40

175-180

Win Probability

NZ 50%

SL 50%

Disclaimer

The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.

What they said

"We know how important a home World Cup is. The fans have turned up in numbers and we have always believed that we can make it to the semi-finals. The last two games haven't gone to our plan but we are looking forward to the must-win clash tomorrow." - Dunith Wellalage

"We know Sri Lanka are a great team obviously. They showed that in the first stage of the group. Everyone's just trying to get through to the Super 8s. I guess that was the first thing to be ticked off. England are a great side and we saw that on a slightly slower wicket. If you lose Powerplay wickets at the start, it can be a challenge, but we know they've got quality all the way throughout. Obviously missing a couple of players through injury, but, in saying that, they're still very good." - Mitchell Santner

In the spotlight

Of the spinners playing in this tournament, only Adam Zampa and Adil Rashid have a better record against Sri Lanka in men's T20Is than Mitchell Santner. Across his 11 games against them, he has gone wicketless just twice, grabbing 14 wickets at an economy rate of 6.38 - well below his career economy of 7.24. This however will be Santner's first time playing at Sri Lanka's most spin-friendly limited overs venue, and he will be backing himself to boost those numbers.

Dunith Wellalage has seven wickets across this tournament, only behind Maheesh Theekshana (8) for Sri Lanka. Against England he was asked to bowl in the powerplay and came through with figures of 16 for 1 in that period, before finishing up with innings best figures of 3 for 26. With the action moving to the Khettarama, conditions should suit him even more. Sri Lanka will also be relying on him with the bat as well, with him twice being promoted up the order to no.5 already.

Stats and trivia

• Across their four completed games this tournament New Zealand have been striking at 10.37 runs per over, the best of any side; Sri Lanka are fifth at 8.92.
• New Zealand also average the most runs per wicket, 50.64, with West Indies a distant second at 38.79.
• New Zealand however rank bottom for wickets taken, with just 14 over four games; Sri Lanka have taken 30 across five matches, while India top the list with 41.