T20 WC 2026: 87% Chance of Rain at Night — PAK vs NZ Super 8 Match in Serious Danger
No reserve day exists for the match, meaning a washout would see both teams share one point each.
The T20 World Cup Super 8 begins with Pakistan facing New Zealand at the R Premadasa Stadium on Saturday evening. Pakistan advanced from Group A after finishing second to India, while New Zealand came second to South Africa in Group D. The clash is expected to test New Zealand’s middle order against Pakistan’s varied spin attack. The match starts at 7 PM IST, with both teams aiming for a strong Super 8 start. Weather could play a decisive role in the outcome of this encounter.
According to AccuWeather.com, Colombo is expected to have 80–100 per cent cloud cover on match day. The probability of rainfall during the day is 75 per cent, increasing to 87 per cent at night. Thunderstorms may occur, with a 52 per cent chance during the evening hours. There is no reserve day scheduled for the match, meaning a washout would lead to points being shared. Such a scenario could affect both teams’ semi-final prospects.
New Zealand’s top-order batters, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, have performed well with three fifties between them. However, their middle-order players—including Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, and Daryl Mitchell—have struggled for consistency. Ravindra’s 72 runs in four matches, largely from a single game, highlight this concern. The team is also playing in Colombo for the first time during this tournament. Pakistan, in contrast, are familiar with the Premadasa pitch.
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Pakistan’s spinners, having played two matches in Colombo already, know the conditions well. The slow and tricky pitch requires precise pace and length, rewarding patience over aggressive stroke-making. Key players like Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, and Shadab Khan’s spin support will be crucial. Babar Azam will lead the batting effort, while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah handle the pace attack. This experience gives Pakistan a potential edge over the Kiwis.
The official squads feature balanced lineups from both sides. Pakistan fields Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, and others. New Zealand’s team includes Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, and Tim Seifert among key players. A strong performance in Colombo could define the early Super 8 standings. Fans will be closely watching the weather and on-field strategies to see which side takes control of Group 2.
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