Colombo: The Super Eight match between Pakistan national cricket team and New Zealand national cricket team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, with both teams sharing one point each.
Rain began shortly after Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bat first, continuing for more than two and a half hours before match officials called off the game due to waterlogged conditions on the field.
According to the schedule, the cut-off time for a five-over contest was 9:46 pm Pakistan Standard Time (PST), however, the fixture was abandoned earlier after inspection of the outfield.
The washout has further complicated Group 2 standings in the Super Eight stage, which also includes England cricket team and co-host Sri Lanka national cricket team, who are set to face each other on Sunday.
Pakistan, the 2009 champions, will next take on England at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Tuesday, while New Zealand will face Sri Lanka the following day in Colombo.
As per tournament rules, the top two teams from each Super Eight group will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled for March 4 and 5. Under the agreed “Fusion Formula,” Pakistan are playing all their matches in Sri Lanka. If Pakistan qualify, the first semi-final will be held in Colombo; otherwise, it will be hosted at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The venue for the final, scheduled for March 8, will also depend on Pakistan’s qualification status.