T20 WC: Match between Pakistan, New Zealand cancelled because of rain

Colombo (Web Desk/ AFP): Rain washed out New Zealand’s Super Eight match against Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Cup on Saturday.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha won the toss and elected to bat in the Group Two match but play could not begin as the rain only got heavier and puddles formed on the covers on the outfield.

The teams earned one point each from the abandoned first fixture of the tournament’s Super Eight stage.

Pakistan face England in a clash between two former champions on Tuesday, while New Zealand play tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

In the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Pakistan have won the toss against New Zealand and elected to bat.

At the match being played in Colombo, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha opted to bat first after winning the toss. For the fixture against New Zealand, Fakhar Zaman has been included in the playing XI in place of Khawaja Nafay.

Pakistan’s playing XI comprises Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza and Usman Tariq.

🚨 TOSS & PLAYING XI 🚨

Pakistan win the toss and elect to bat first 🏏

One change to our playing XI for the Super Eights fixture today 🇵🇰#PAKvNZ | #T20WorldCup | #BackTheBoysInGreen | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/yjNb8f7Iyv

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 21, 2026

It is worth noting that rain is also forecast during the match between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Under International Cricket Council regulations, no reserve day has been allocated for Super 8 matches of the T20 World Cup 2026.

If rain prevents both sides from completing a minimum of five overs per innings, the match will be abandoned and each team will be awarded one point.