The 49th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is an important Super 8 Group 2 game between England and New Zealand at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The match will be played at 7:00 PM IST, which is 3:00 PM.
England has already qualified for the Super 8, where they have won 2 matches, while New Zealand needs to win this match to confirm their spot in the top 4.
The Colombo pitch usually helps spinners as it slows down during the game. The weather is expected to be sunny with only a small chance of rain. Let’s analyze the betting odds, pitch conditions, and provide our expert prediction for this crucial Super 8 Group 2 clash.
England vs New Zealand 49th Match Odds
Betting markets are backing England as they have already qualified for the semi-final. However, New Zealand still has competitive odds because they have a history of beating England.
| Platform | England Win Odds | New Zealand Win Odds | Toss Odds (England) | Toss Odds (New Zealand) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.72 | 2.15 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Stake | 1.75 | 2.1 | 1.91 | 1.89 |
| 4RABET | 1.71 | 2.18 | 1.88 | 1.92 |
| BetVibe | 1.73 | 2.13 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
England vs New Zealand 49th Match (Super 8) Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | ENG vs NZ, 49th Match, Super 8 Group 2 |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | Friday, February 27, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM LOCAL, 1:30 PM GMT |
| Venue | R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
England vs New Zealand Squad
Let’s have a look at the squads for both teams for their last Super 8 match. As it is a do-or-die match for New Zealand, they will look to field their best XI.
England Squad
Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Philip Salt (wk), Josh Tongue, Luke Wood
New Zealand Squad
Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wk), Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Cole McConchie
Pitch Report of R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
The R. Premadasa Stadium in Sri Lanka usually helps spin bowlers. As the match goes on, the pitch slows and offers more turn, making batting harder in the second innings.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | The pitch is generally slow and starts to favour spinners as the game progresses. However, fast bowlers can still get some swing and seam movement. |
| Batting Conditions | Batters need to spend some time at the crease early on. After settling in, scoring becomes easier. |
| Bowling Support | Pacers get early assistance with the new ball. As the innings progress, spinners play a bigger role in the game. |
| Ground Dimensions | The straight boundary is about 86 metres, while the square boundaries range between 63 and 67 metres. |
| Average 1st Innings Score (T20Is) | In T20Is, the average first-innings score is close to 158, and 123 is the lowest total that has been successfully defended. |
| Toss and Dew Impact | Teams often choose to bat first because spinners get more help later, making it harder for chasing teams. |
Weather Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 29°C will be comfortable for players. |
| Weather | The weather will be clear, ensuring uninterrupted play. |
| Precipitation | There are 15% chance of rain. |
| Humidity | The humidity level will be around 73%, which will contribute to dew formation later. |
| Wind | Wind speed is expected to be 14 km/h, which could assist pacers to get swing. |
England and New Zealand Head-to-Head in T20Is
England have a clear edge over New Zealand in T20 internationals, winning 17 of 30 matches, while New Zealand have won 10.
| Aspect | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 30 |
| England Won | 17 |
| New Zealand Won | 10 |
| No Result | 3 |
| Tied | 1 |
Suggested Reads:
Key Players to Watch
There will be aggressive batters, fast bowlers, and smart spinners who can change the game with a match-winning performance.
| Players | T20I Stats |
|---|---|
| Philip Salt (ENG) | 1710 runs in 58 matches at an average of 35.62. |
| Will Jacks (ENG) | 563 runs and 12 wickets in 38 matches. |
| Liam Dawson (ENG) | 31 wickets in 30 matches at an economy rate of 7.63. |
| Finn Allen (NZ) | 1525 runs in 59 matches at an average of 27.23 with a strike rate of 166.66. |
| Mat Henry (NZ) | 49 wickets in 40 matches at an economy of 8.40. |
| Rachin Ravindra (NZ) | 734 runs and 20 wickets in 49 matches. |
