New Zealand and Sri Lanka will clash in Match 46 of the Super Eights stage at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Wednesday, February 25. With both teams eager to strengthen their semifinal chances, this encounter in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 carries significant importance.
Match Details: SL vs NZ
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match | Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, Match 46 (Super 8) |
| Date | Wednesday, 25 February 2026 |
| Time | 07:00 PM IST |
| Toss Time | 06:30 PM IST |
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| City | Colombo |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar, FanCode |
Match Preview
New Zealand’s Super Eight campaign began on a frustrating note as their opening match against Pakistan was abandoned due to persistent rain in Colombo. The washout handed the Black Caps just one point, despite their excellent form in the group stage where they secured three wins from four matches. With a settled squad and strong all-round balance, New Zealand will be keen to get back on the field and make a statement.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, suffered a 51-run defeat against England in their first Super Eight fixture. The hosts struggled against spin and were bowled out cheaply, resulting in an early dent to their net run rate. Playing at home, Sri Lanka will be under pressure to respond strongly and keep their semifinal hopes alive.
Head-to-Head Record (T20Is): SL vs NZ
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| New Zealand (NZ) | 16 |
| Sri Lanka (SL) | 9 |
| Tied (Super Over) | 2 |
| No Result | 1 |
New Zealand hold a clear advantage in the overall T20I head-to-head record.
Also Read: SA-W vs PAK-W 2nd ODI, Pitch Report, Head-to-Head, Playing 11, AI Prediction
Weather & Pitch Report: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- Weather Report: Clear weather is expected in Colombo on Wednesday evening, with temperatures around 26°C. Humidity will be high at approximately 85%, which could test players endurance.
- Pitch Report: The venue has hosted five matches so far in the tournament. Teams batting first have won four of those games, while only one chase has been successful. Despite this, captains have preferred to bowl first, and the trend is likely to continue. The surface generally slows down as the match progresses, bringing spinners into play during the middle overs.
Probable Playing 11
New Zealand (NZ) Playing 11:
1. Tim Seifert (wk), 2. Finn Allen, 3. Rachin Ravindra, 4. Glenn Phillips, 5. Mark Chapman, 6. Daryl Mitchell, 7. Mitchell Santner (c), 8. James Neesham, 9. Matt Henry, 10. Ish Sodhi, 11. Lockie Ferguson
Sri Lanka (SL) Playing 11:
1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Kamil Mishara, 3. Kusal Mendis (wk), 4. Pavan Rathnayake, 5. Kamindu Mendis, 6. Dasun Shanaka (c), 7. Dunith Wellalage, 8. Dushan Hemantha, 9. Dushmantha Chameera, 10. Maheesh Theekshana, 11. Dilshan Madushanka
Who Will Win Today’s Match? (AI Prediction)
Sri Lanka will rely heavily on home conditions and their spin attack to bounce back after a disappointing loss. However, New Zealand appear more settled, with greater depth in both batting and bowling, and their players have handled pressure situations well throughout the tournament.
Considering recent form, head-to-head dominance, and overall squad balance, New Zealand enter this contest as slight favourites.
AI Match Prediction: New Zealand are likely to win Match 46 of T20 World Cup 2026.
Also Read: WI-W vs SL-W 3rd ODI, Pitch Report, Head to Head, Playing 11, AI Prediction
Disclaimer
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