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T20 World Cup 2026: Fans react as Super 8 contest between Pakistan and New Zealand ends due to rain before kick-off in Colombo

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Opening fixtures of t20 world cup 2026 super 8 The stage ended in frustration on February 21, 2026, as persistent tropical rain in Colombo led to the much-anticipated clash between the two. Pakistan And new zealand teaO let it go. R. Despite the best efforts of the ground staff at the Premadasa Stadium, the skies opened up soon after the toss, leaving fans and players waiting for a long time.

This ‘no result’ means both teams share the same points, resulting in immense pressure heading into their upcoming fixtures against the Group 2 giants. England And Sri Lanka. With no reserve days allotted for this round, the weather has effectively turned the remaining Super 8 matches into must-win knockout fixtures for both sides.

Colombo rain denies Pakistan and New Zealand a fast start to the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8

R. The Premadasa Stadium was transformed into a sea of ​​blue tarpaulins as monsoon-like weather completely derailed the start of the Group 2 Super 8 proceedings. After the toss at 6:30 pm, Pakistan captain… salman ali aga Confirmed a tactical change by bringing in experienced Fakhar Zaman For Khwaja NafeThe steady drizzle quickly turned into heavy rain.

new zealand michel santnerReturning to the team after a stomach bug, he opted for a spin-heavy attack Ish Sodhi And lockie fergusonBut the strategic battle never succeeded as the drainage system was eventually overwhelmed by the volume of water. As the cut-off time of 10:16 pm for the minimum five overs game approached, the umpires made several observations, but a wet outfield and persistent congestion near the boundary ropes made play impossible.

The match was officially abandoned at 9:10 pm IST, leaving the ‘Men in Green’ and the ‘Black Caps’ sharing the points without a single ball being bowled. The defeat is particularly bitter for Pakistan, who entered the match with high momentum after an impressive win over Namibia, but their strategy was hampered by the elements. For the Kiwis, the shared point is equally disappointing, as they tried to take advantage of the spin-friendly Colombo track with their returning veterans.

Also read: T20 World Cup 2026: Is there a reserve day for Pakistan vs New Zealand Super 8 match? Here’s what we know

What’s next for Group 2 after Pakistan vs New Zealand match washed out due to rain?

The Colombo opener’s abandonment has drastically changed the qualification mathematics for Group 2, giving both Pakistan and New Zealand zero margin for error in their final two matches. Pakistan will now travel to the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on February 24 for a high-voltage encounter against England, a team against whom they have historically struggled in the T20 World Cup.

This match is now essentially a quarter-final; If the defeat happens, Pakistan will need a miracle to reach the semi-finals, especially with the final group game against co-hosts Sri Lanka on February 28. Similarly, New Zealand will also face a tough road, which will begin on February 25 with the R. The match will be against a strong Sri Lankan team at the Premadasa Stadium, followed by a match with England on 27th February.

Both teams are placed second in the live standings on shared points, but with England and Sri Lanka still to play their opening games in Kandy tomorrow, there is pressure on the “washout teams” to keep pace with the winners of that encounter. Fans will be keeping a close eye on the Pallekele weather forecast, as another rain-affected game could turn Group 2 into a chaotic scramble decided by net run rate or even the higher seeded pre-tournament ranking.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Also read: T20 World Cup 2026: Harbhajan Singh predicts Team India’s playing eleven for the Super 8 match against South Africa

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