Pakistan Elect to Bat as Santner Returns to Lead New Zealand in Rain-Hit Super Eights Opener

Colombo, Feb 2026 : The opening Super Eights clash of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup between New Zealand and Pakistan got underway amid uncertainty on Saturday after rain threatened to delay play at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha won the toss and opted to bat first in the high-stakes Super Eights opener of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Moments after the toss, dark clouds gathered over Colombo and steady rain forced ground staff to bring the covers back on, raising concerns about a delayed start. Despite the weather interruption, both teams completed their pre-match formalities and announced their playing XIs, underlining the importance of the contest as the Super Eights phase began.

New Zealand made three key changes, bringing back captain Mitchell Santner, leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, and express pacer Lockie Ferguson. Santner returns to the side after recovering from illness and resumes leadership duties, while Ferguson rejoined the squad after briefly flying home for the birth of his first child. Their inclusion significantly bolsters New Zealand’s bowling attack, particularly on a surface expected to aid slower bowlers.

Speaking after the toss, Santner acknowledged that conditions in Colombo could be different from what his team experienced earlier in the tournament. He noted that while the pitch may not be as free-flowing as some others, New Zealand had closely observed several matches at the venue and understood the challenges it posed. Emphasising adaptability, he said matches at the ground had shown that spinners could play a decisive role if they were prepared to vary pace and show courage.

Pakistan, meanwhile, handed Fakhar Zaman his first game of the tournament, replacing Khawaja Nafay. The hosts opted for a spin-heavy combination, supported by all-rounder Faheem Ashraf as their primary pace option. Salman Ali Agha said the team was confident in its balance, stressing that Pakistan would rely on a mix of disciplined batting and smart bowling variations to counter New Zealand’s strengths.

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja, delivering the pitch report, described the surface as slightly tacky, a view echoed by ex-Australia skipper Aaron Finch. Both felt that with little live grass on offer, bowlers who took pace off the ball could be most effective, while spinners might need to tempt batters with flight rather than relying solely on turn.

With rain looming and two well-matched sides prepared for contrasting conditions, the stage was set for a tactical contest. As the Super Eights phase begins, both Pakistan and New Zealand know that early momentum could prove decisive in the race for a place in the knockout rounds.

Playing XIs: New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, and Lockie Ferguson Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, and Usman Tariq