The 46th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 features a big Super 8 Group 2 clash between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. The game will take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo tomorrow at 7:00 PM local time.
New Zealand finished second in Group Y. Sri Lanka, led by Dasun Shanaka, will enjoy home support in Colombo. They understand the local conditions very well, and that could help them.
The R. Premadasa pitch usually helps spinners. It plays slowly and starts turning more as the match goes on. Both teams have good spin bowlers, so spin could decide the result.
New Zealand comes into this game with better recent form, but Sri Lanka has the home advantage and pitch knowledge. This match promises tight competition as both teams fight hard to keep their tournament dreams alive.
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 46th Match (Super 8) Odds
Since both teams are on a dream run, bookmakers expect a close match. New Zealand are slight favourite because they have a better head-to-head record.
| Platform | New Zealand Win Odds | Sri Lanka Win Odds | Toss Odds (New Zealand) | Toss Odds (Sri Lanka) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.78 | 2.05 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Stake | 1.8 | 2 | 1.91 | 2 |
| 4RABET | 1.77 | 2.08 | 1.88 | 1.92 |
| BetVibe | 1.79 | 2.03 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 46th Match (Super 8) Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | NZ vs SL, 46th Match, Super 8 Group 2 |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | Wednesday, February 25, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Squad
Let’s have a look at the squad of both teams for the do-or-die match for Sri Lanka.
New Zealand Squad
Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wk), Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Cole McConchie, Matt Henry
Sri Lanka Squad
Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Perera (wk), Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Pramod Madushan, Dushan Hemantha
Pitch Report of R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
The R. Premadasa Stadium is known for helping spin bowlers. The pitch becomes slower and turns more as the match goes on. This makes it harder for teams to bat second.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | The surface is usually on the slower side and tends to assist spinners more as the match goes on. Early in the game, fast bowlers may find some swing and slight seam movement. |
| Batting Conditions | Batters must be cautious at the start; once they adjust to the pitch’s pace, run-scoring becomes comfortable. |
| Bowling Support | Seamers enjoy support with the new ball in the initial overs. Later in the innings, spinners become more effective. |
| Ground Dimensions | The straight boundary measures around 86 metres, while the square boundaries are approximately 63 and 67 metres. |
| Average 1st Innings Score (T20Is) | In T20 Internationals, the first-innings total is around 158. The lowest successfully defended score at this venue is 123. |
| Toss and Dew Impact | Captains often prefer to set a target because spin bowling becomes stronger later in the game. |
Weather Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 29°C, with warm evening conditions. |
| Weather | The weather will be clear with a sunny day transitioning |
| Precipitation | There is only 10% chance of rain. |
| Humidity | The humidity level will be around 73%. |
| Wind | Wind speed is expected to be 18 km/h, swing in the air for pacers. |
New Zealand and Sri Lanka Head-to-Head in T20Is
New Zealand has a clear edge over Sri Lanka in T20 matches. They have won 16 of 28 games, while Sri Lanka has won 11.
| Aspect | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 28 |
| New Zealand Won | 16 |
| Sri Lanka Won | 11 |
| No Result | 1 |
Relatable reads
Key Players to Watch
New Zealand will rely on its strong and attacking batting. Sri Lanka will depend on their tricky spin bowlers. The team that handles the turning pitch better will likely win the game.
| Players | T20I Stats |
|---|---|
| Glenn Phillips (NZ) | 2224 runs in 93 matches at an average of 32.23. |
| Mitchell Santner (NZ) | 947 runs and 136 wickets in 131 matches. |
| Rachin Ravindra (NZ) | 702 runs and 16 wickets in 48 matches. |
| Pathum Nissanka (SL) | 2645 runs in 89 matches at an average of 31.86. |
| Dasun Shanaka (SL) | 1833 runs and 44 wickets in 129 matches. |
| Maheesh Theekshana (SL) | 79 wickets in 81 matches at an economy rate of 7.06. |
