A captivating rivalry is about to take place in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 on February 25. The match will be between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, the top two contenders to qualify for the semifinals from Group 2 of the Round of Eight.
Through this article, cricket fans can take a look at the insights into New Zealand and Sri Lanka’s possible playing eleven. Sri Lanka, the co-host of the T20 World Cup 2026, stormed into this round, proving pure dominance in the group stage. The same can be said about New Zealand’s performance in the group stage. They qualified in the round of eight as one of the strongest sides in the competition. Their batters especially accomplished some serious jobs.
New Zealand Playing XI vs Sri Lanka—ICC T20 World Cup 2026:
Openers: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert.
Without any doubt, these openers can do severe damage in their days. But they have yet to do that. So far, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, as a pair, have not performed together according to their calibre. Against Sri Lanka, they will try to prove themselves and why they are considered lethal batters in the T20 format across the globe.
Middle-order: Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman.
Most of the teams in the tournament have tried to make sure of a deep batting unit. Maybe the team management of New Zealand also tried to do so. But on paper, they are lacking firepower in the middle order in comparison to India, South Africa, or England. Mitchell Santner, who is mostly known for his spin bowling abilities, can also add a few runs with the bat as well. The off-form of Rachin Ravindra remains a constant threat to the team.
Bowlers: Mitchell Santner, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, and Matt Henry.
Lockie Ferguson started the campaign as a surprising fast bowler. He has pace but needs to be consistent. The same can be said for the rest of the bowlers in the lineup. Jacob Duffy and Matt Henry are proven seamers, but they have to pick wickets as early as possible against Sri Lanka.
New Zealand Playing XI: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, and Matt Henry.
Sri Lanka Playing XI vs New Zealand—T20 World Cup 2026:
Openers: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara.
Everything looks perfect, just like a well-oiled machine. While Pathum Nissanka can set for a long-standing, aggressive innings, his opening pair, Kamil Mishara, can successfully hold on the other end of the track, which makes them perfect for each other for the opening slots against New Zealand.
Middle-order: Kusal Mendis (w), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage.
If the bowlers are somehow able to get rid of the in-form batter Pathum Nissanka, who smashed a century against Australia, then there will be Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, and Dasun Shanaka. If the Kiwi bowlers are unable to strike early in the match, then they will have to grind hard to put themselves back in the contest.
Bowlers: Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka
The exclusion of Matheesha Pathirana might have hurt the Lankan side, but they have a replacement in the form of Dilshan Madushanka. Not a like-for-like substitution, but it can prove to be a blessing in disguise. Dilshan Madushanka and Maheesh Theekshana can deliver some good overs from both ends to slow down the opposition’s run rate and pick up some wickets as well.
Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (w), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka.
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