The first Super 8 fixture of the 2026 T20 World Cup between Pakistan and New Zealand didn’t start on time due to rain. It was raining in Colombo before the toss and there were high chances of a delayed start.
It stopped raining before the toss and Pakistan opted to bat first. The rain returned few minutes before the start of the play and it hasn’t stopped yet. It’s now confirmed that the complete 40 overs will not be bowled and the overs will be reduced. It is still raining in Colombo. The covers will only be removed once it stops raining completely.
Following this, the officials will have a look at the playing area and determine a time for inspection. As the fans wait for an official update from Colombo, here we have a look at the cut-off time for a five-over game –
The cut-off time for a five-over game in Colombo is 10:16 PM IST. The match will be abandoned and both teams will get a point each if the first ball isn’t bowled by 10:16 PM IST. The rain has to stop at least 30 minutes before that.
Playing XIs of both teams
Pakistan brought in Fakhar Zaman for this big game. Babar Azam is part of the playing XI. New Zealand made three changes in their playing XI. Ish Sodhi and Lockie Ferguson replaced Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy. A fit-again Mitchell Santner made his return to the playing XI. The NZ captain missed the game against Canada due to illness.
Pakistan: Salman Agha (Captain), Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (Captain), Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson