PAK vs NZ, Colombo weather report: Will rain put Pakistan under early Super 8 pressure?
India Today
Pakistan and New Zealand will meet in their first T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match in Colombo, where both teams need improved performances after inconsistent group stage showings. However, will rain put early pressure on Salman Ali Agha and his men?
Pakistan is set to face New Zealand in their opening Super 8 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday. The fixture brings together two sides searching for consistency after unsteady group stage campaigns. Both squads finished second in their respective groups, with New Zealand losing to South Africa and Pakistan defeated by India.
On the field, New Zealand’s main challenge lies in their bowling unit, which has raised concerns after recent performances. Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, and Mitchell Santner are likely to be crucial for the team’s defence. For Pakistan, the focus is on addressing batting weaknesses, with opener Sahibzada Farhan expected to play a key role in providing a solid start at the top of the order.
Since January 2022, the two sides have faced each other 24 times in T20 internationals. New Zealand holds a slight edge in recent head-to-head encounters, winning 13 matches compared to Pakistan’s nine. The Anticipation is high, but attention is focused as much on the unpredictable Colombo weather.
The weather in Colombo remains a significant concern ahead of the fixture. Local forecasts indicate rain is expected before and during the match, with showers possibly causing a delayed start if the ground is damp. The scheduled start time is 7 PM local, and the temperature is predicted to hover between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius, with humidity surpassing 80 percent.
According to the latest update on AccuWeather, rain is expected from 2 to 4 pm local time and then the conditions remain cloudy throughout. Credit: Accuweather
When asked about the weather, Pakistan’s Shadab Khan commented that it is something that is out of their control and they will have to learn how to deal with it.
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