England have already confirmed their place in the semi-finals after a dominant Super Eight campaign.
Pakistan's best chance to qualify for the semifinals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, depends on England's win over New Zealand
The fate of Pakistan's chances of semifinal qualification depends on the result of the England vs New Zealand match today
How can Pakistan qualify for the semifinal? Will the rain gods help PAK in the race for semis? Business Standard takes a look at all the possible scenarios for New Zealand and Pakistan's SF chances
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said that a total in excess of 160 was "enough" on a surface that offered more turn than expected as his side defeated Sri Lanka by 61 runs to move to the brink of T20 World Cup semifinals here on Wednesday. New Zealand had slumped to 84/6 in 12.1 overs after losing four wickets in a dramatic middle-order collapse, but Santner (47 off 26) and Cole McConchie (31 not out off 23) turned the game around with a counter-attacking stand. The duo plundered 70 runs in the last four overs to lift New Zealand to 168/7. New Zealand then restricted Sri Lanka to 107 for 8 to knock the islanders out of the tournament. "It was obviously a nice score there with the amount of spin with the ball. They squeezed us a lot," Santner said at the post-match presentation. "Of course, the batsmen will need to take a little responsibility at the top and you know we can't rely on one or two batsmen in a game, so all the batters need to take the positive option. "I think we
A 2-wicket win courtesy of a Harry Brook hundred for England on the night meant that the Three Lions have confirmed their qualification into the semi-final with 2 wins in as many games.
ICC T20 World Cup HIGHLIGHTS: Sri Lanka has become the first team to be eliminated from the Super 8 round of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Sri Lanka are under immediate pressure following a heavy 51-run loss to England national cricket team in their Super Eight opener.
New Zealand's Super Eight opener against Pakistan was washed out without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain in Colombo.
The Black Caps head into this game having had their Super Eight opener against Pakistan abandoned due to persistent rain, which left both teams sharing a point.
If Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, they will feature in Semi-final 1 in Colombo on March 4. In that scenario, Colombo becomes the confirmed venue for the fixture.
The top two teams of Group 2 will qualify for the semifinals after the end of the ICC T20 World Cup Super 8 round
From qualification rules to confirmed teams and Super 8 schedule, here's a quick guide to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026's next round
Persistent rain has resulted in the match getting abandoned due to rain at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Both teams get 1 point each in the table.
The Black Caps have suffered just one defeat so far, against South Africa, and won their other three games.
If the New Zealand vs Pakistan Super 8 match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 gets washed away on Saturday, both teams will be given one point each
The match is expected to be heavily affected by rain, as the entire ground was covered immediately after the toss due to its arrival
Pakistan arrive with momentum after crushing Namibia by 102 runs in Colombo to seal their place in the last eight.
New Zealand have faced Pakistan frequently in recent months across white-ball formats, and Chapman believes that experience has helped them understand what to expect from the opposition.
With six teams already qualified for the Super 8 round, six teams across two groups are fighting for the remaining two spots in the next stage.