COLOMBO: The Super 8 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup is starting today, as Pakistan will face New Zealand on Saturday at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Rain is likely to affect the match between Pakistan and New Zealand in the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
According to weather forecasting agency AccuWeather, there is a 74 percent chance of rain in Colombo today, while strong winds are also predicted.
According to the rules of the International Cricket Council, no reserve day has been allocated for the Super 8 matches of the T20 World Cup 2026.
If both teams are unable to play at least 5 overs per innings due to rain, the match will be abandoned, and both teams will be given one point each.
Meanwhile, the Kiwi coaching staff has made their batters bowl, especially in the action of the Pakistani bowler, to break the bowling of Pakistani spinner Usman Tariq so that they can compete with him in the match.
On the other hand, the training session of the Pakistan cricket team was to be held under floodlights, but due to rain in Colombo, this session was canceled.
The team’s head coach, Mike Hesson, told a press conference that we have been preparing for this event for the last 6 months.
He said that the players are confident and our preparation is complete, hopefully we will make the best use of the conditions because we try to field the best team.
Pakistan’s next two matches in the Super 8 stage will be against England and Sri Lanka, which will be played on February 24 and 28, respectively.
Babar Azam
Despite the dip in form, team management is expected to keep him at No. 4 for the New Zealand clash.
However, the pressure is undeniable. A lot can happen if this must-win match is not won by Pakistan, as they may then start thinking about their lineup, with Fakhar Zaman possibly replacing Babar Azam, who has been struggling.
The former Captain has managed a meager 66 runs in 4 matches with a strike rate of 115.78, which has raised some eyebrows about whether he is suitable for modern T20.
