Two teams, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, among the favorites to play the semifinals of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026, will collide on February 25 in Colombo, the home soil of the Sri Lanka cricket team.
The article that follows includes a detailed preview of the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, Round of Eight of the T20 World Cup 2026. The article will include their probable playing XI, best probable players, head-to-head record, and details of the broadcast of the game, along with the weather and pitch report at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 25.
ENG vs SL T20 World Cup Match Preview:
Match Date: The New Zealand vs Sri Lanka match will be played on Sunday, February 25.
Venue: The match will take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Time: The match is scheduled to start at 7.00 PM IST.
NZ vs SL Full Squads:
New Zealand cricket team: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Cole McConchie, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Kyle Jamieson, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, and Ben Sears (reserve).
Sri Lanka cricket team: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga.
NZ vs SL Probable XIs:
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: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (w), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka.
NZ vs SL T20 World Cup Match Key Battles:
1. Pathum Nissanka vs Matt Henry:
Pathum Nissanka and Matt Henry are expected to meet during the initial stage of an innings. The opener, who smashed a century against Australia, will try their best to continue the form. On the other side, Matt Henry will be in charge of guiding the new ball. The pacer is yet to show his best bowling skills. If Henry somehow manages to get the wicket of the batter early, New Zealand can take a breath of relief.
2. Kusal Mendis vs Ish Sodhi:
The subcontinental conditions often offer spinners some extra elements. Ish Sodhi can be the appropriate spinner on the track for New Zealand in this match. Like Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis is another in-form Sri Lankan batter who has already smashed multiple half-centuries in the tournament. He will have to counter the Kiwi spinners.
3. Tim Seifert vs Maheesh Theekshana:
The opening pair of the New Zealand cricket team is highly unpredictable. Any day, Tim Seifert can go berserk. In the previous edition of the Big Bash League, the opener was in flying form. In the effort to secure a slot in the semifinals of the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup, he will again try to do the same. Maheesh Theekshana and the other bowlers of Sri Lanka must be aware of the batting strengths of Tim Seifert.
NZ vs SL Key Players:
New Zealand Key Players: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, and Lockie Ferguson.
Sri Lanka Key Players: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, and Maheesh Theekshana.
NZ vs SL Live Streaming and Broadcasting:
NZ vs SL Broadcast in India: The New Zealand vs Sri Lanka match will be broadcast live across India on the Star Sports Network.
Online Live Streaming in India: The matches of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 can be streamed live on the Jio HotStar app with an active subscription.
NZ vs SL T20 World Cup Match Weather and Pitch Report—Sri Lanka:
NZ vs SL Weather Report in Colombo:
As of now, there is no forecast for rain on February 25. Partly cloudy can be seen on this day in Colombo. A match is expected to happen under a clear night sky, without interruption.
NZ vs SL Pitch Report at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo:
Traditionally, R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo offers a spin-friendly surface. Technically sound batters with composure can also gather an ample amount of runs on the surface. A well-balanced contest between bat and ball can be expected on February 25, 2026.
NZ vs SL Head-to-Head Records:
According to ESPNcricinfo, from 2006, Sri Lanka and New Zealand were involved with each other in 28 Twenty20 International matches. With a 59.25 win ratio, New Zealand claimed 16 matches, while the Sri Lanka cricket team claimed the remaining 9 matches, which made their win ratio against New Zealand 40.74. Among those 28 matches, there were 2 ties and a match with no result.
| Match | NZ Won | SL Won | Draw | Tie | No Result |
| Over-all | 16 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| In T20 World Cups | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| In Last 5 Matches | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NZ vs SL Last 5 match results:
1. New Zealand vs Sri Lanka—Sri Lanka won by 7 runs at Nelson on January 2, 2025.
2. New Zealand vs Sri Lanka—New Zealand won by 45 runs at Mount Maunganui on December 30, 2024.
3. New Zealand vs Sri Lanka- New Zealand won by 8 runs at Mount Maunganui on December 28, 2024.
4. New Zealand vs Sri Lanka- New Zealand won by 5 runs at Dambulla on November 10, 2024.
5. New Zealand vs Sri Lanka—Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets at Dambulla on November 9, 2024.
NZ vs SL T20 World Cup Match— Conclusion:
Statistically, New Zealand has the edge over Sri Lanka, as they defeated the island nation 16 times, while SL only won 9 times against NZ. But the stats can be proved wrong, as Sri Lanka is in good shape. They will put all their effort into transforming the form in the following matches too.
Read More: Matheesha Pathirana ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026, Wanindu Hasaranga to make shock return
