NZ vs PAK T20 Cricket Match Prediction

T20 41 of 55

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 Match 1

The wait is over! The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has reached its business end, and we are kicking off the Super 8 stage with a certified classic: NZ vs PAK T20 cricket match prediction to win big.

Both teams have taken scenic routes to get here. Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, found their rhythm just in time during the group stages in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Mitchell Santner’s Black Caps have been their usual clinical selves, proving once again that they are the masters of tournament cricket.

With a semi-final spot essentially on the line from Game 1, here is everything you need to know before the first ball is bowled at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

NZ vs PAK T20 Cricket Match Details

Fixture

New Zealand vs Pakistan (Match 41, Super 8 – Match 1)

Date

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Time

7:00 PM IST / 6:30 PM Local

Venue

R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Head-to-Head: A Rivalry on a Knife-Edge

If you want to know how close these two are, just look at the history books. Out of 49 T20I meetings, the record is almost perfectly split:

New Zealand Won

Pakistan Won

No Result/Tied

In World Cups, Pakistan often finds a “magic gear” against the Kiwis (remember the 2022 semi-final?), but New Zealand’s recent form—winning 13 of their last 24 encounters since 2022—suggests they aren’t intimidated by the “Green Shirts” anymore.

Pitch and Conditions: The Colombo Factor

Average 1st Innings Score

173.

Trend

4 out of the last 5 games here were won by the team batting first.

Weather

There is a lingering threat of rain (80% humidity!), so expect a greasy ball and a potential DLS calculation. The R. Premadasa is a fortress for spinners.