Colombo, February 21, 2026: Pakistan and New Zealand were forced to share a point each after persistent rain led to a washout of their Super Eights encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo on Saturday.
Match officials waited for more than two hours beyond the scheduled start time in hope of an improvement in conditions, but the steady drizzle that began around the toss only intensified. With puddles forming on the covers at the R Premadasa Stadium and no sign of respite, the umpires eventually called off the match.
There had been a strong forecast of rain as toss time approached. Pakistan’s evening training session on Friday was also abandoned due to wet weather. At the toss, which was won by Pakistan national cricket team, skipper Salman Ali Agha elected to bat, but drizzle set in almost immediately as the captains were speaking, prompting ground staff to bring on the covers. From that point onward, the fate of the match appeared sealed.
Pakistan made one change to their playing XI, leaving out Khawaja Nafay and bringing in Fakhar Zaman. New Zealand national cricket team, meanwhile, made three changes, including the return of captain Mitchell Santner.
Both sides have now opened their Super Eights campaigns with a point each but face a tight schedule ahead with little margin for error. Pakistan will next face England national cricket team on Tuesday, followed by a clash against Sri Lanka national cricket team a week later. New Zealand, meanwhile, will take on Sri Lanka on Wednesday before meeting England on Friday. All matches in this group are being played in Sri Lanka.
