New Zealand and Sri Lanka, two of the favorites to play the semi-finals of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026, will face off in Colombo, the home soil of the Sri Lankan cricket team, on February 25.
The following article contains a detailed preview of New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, Round 8 of T20 World Cup 2026. In the article, R. in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 25 February. It will include details of their probable playing XI, best probable player, head-to-head record and telecast of the game along with weather and pitch report at Premadasa Stadium.
ENG vs SL T20 World Cup Match Preview:
Match Date: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka match will be played on Sunday, February 25.
Venue: The match will be held at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Timing: The match is scheduled to start at 7.00 PM IST.
NZ vs SL Full Team:
New Zealand cricket team: Mitchell Santner (captain), 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 (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Zenith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Zenith Liyanage, Pawan Rathnayake, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Velalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Mathisha Pathirana, Ishan Malinga.
New Zealand vs SL Probable XI:
New Zealand Playing XI: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry.
Sri Lanka’s playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pawan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellelage, Dushmantha Chameera, Mahish Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka.
Key battles of New Zealand vs SL T20 World Cup match:
1. Pathum Nissanka vs Matt Henry:
Pathum Nissanka and Matt Henry are expected to meet during the early stages of an innings. The opening batsman, who scored a century against Australia, will try his best to continue this form. Matt Henry, on the other hand, will be in charge of guiding the new ball. The fast bowler is yet to show his best bowling skills. If Henry somehow manages to take the wicket of the batsman early, then New Zealand can heave a sigh of relief.
2. Kusal Mendis vs Ish Sodhi:
Subcontinent conditions often provide spinners with some extra elements. Ish Sodhi could be a suitable spinner on track for New Zealand in this match. Like Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis is another in-form Sri Lankan batsman, who has already scored several half-centuries in the tournament. They will have to compete with the Kiwi spinners.
3. Tim Seifert vs Mahesh Theekshana:
The opening pair of New Zealand cricket team is very unpredictable. On any given day, Tim Seifert can be manic. In the last edition of the Big Bash League, the opening batsman was in great form. They will look to do the same again as they look to seal a spot in the semi-finals of the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup. Mahesh Theekshana and other Sri Lankan bowlers should be aware of Tim Seifert’s batting prowess.
New Zealand vs SL Key Players:
New Zealand’s key players: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson.
Sri Lanka’s key players: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera and Mahesh Theekshana.
NZ vs SL Live Streaming and Broadcast:
NZ vs SL broadcast in India: The NZ vs Sri Lanka match will be telecast live on Star Sports Network across India.
Online Live Streaming in India: ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches can be live streamed on Jio HotStar app with an active subscription.
Weather and Pitch Report of New Zealand vs SL T20 World Cup Match-Sri Lanka:
NZ vs SL Weather Report in Colombo:
At present there is no forecast of rain on 25th February. Partial clouds can be seen in Colombo on this day. A match is expected to take place under clear night sky without any interruption.
R of Colombo. New Zealand vs SL Pitch Report at Premadasa Stadium:
Traditionally, in Colombo R. Premadasa Stadium offers a spin-friendly surface. Technically strong batsmen can also score a sufficient amount of runs on the surface with patience. A balanced contest between bat and ball can be expected on February 25, 2026.
NZ vs SL head-to-head records:
According to ESPNcricinfo, since 2006, Sri Lanka and New Zealand have been involved with each other in 28 Twenty20 Internationals. With a win ratio of 59.25, New Zealand claimed 16 matches, while the Sri Lankan cricket team claimed the remaining 9 matches, making their win ratio against New Zealand 40.74. Out of those 28 matches, 2 were tied and one match had no result.
| match | New Zealand won | won sl | Drag | tie | no results |
| overall | 16 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| In T20 World Cup | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| in the last 5 matches | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NZ vs SL Last 5 Match Result:
1. New Zealand vs Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka won by 7 runs at Nelson on January 2, 2025.
2. New Zealand vs Sri Lanka – December 30, 2024 at Mount Maunganui New Zealand won by 45 runs.
3. New Zealand vs Sri Lanka- New Zealand won by 8 runs at Mount Maunganui on 28 December 2024.
4. New Zealand vs Sri Lanka – New Zealand won by 5 runs at Dambulla on 10 November 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 have defeated the island nation 16 times, while SL has won only 9 times against New Zealand. But the figures may prove to be wrong, as Sri Lanka is in a good position. They will try their best to change their form in the next matches also.
Read more: Mathisha Pathirana out of T20 World Cup 2026, Wanindu Hasaranga will make a shocking comeback