New Zealand vs Sri Lanka T20 World Cup Preview: Toss time, live streaming, pitch report and more

New Zealand and co-hosts Sri Lanka will face off in a crucial Super 8 Group 2 clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday, with both teams fighting to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

New Zealand qualified for the Super 8s by finishing second in Group D with wins over Afghanistan, the UAE, and Canada, while their only loss came against South Africa. Their opening Super 8 match against Pakistan was washed out due to rain, with both teams sharing a point.

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Sri Lanka reached the Super 8s from Group B after wins over Ireland, Oman, and a key victory over Australia but lost to Zimbabwe in their final group match. Their Super 8 campaign began with a heavy 51-run defeat to England, leaving them at the bottom of Group 2 and in must-win territory.

The Blackcaps and Sri Lanka share Group B with England and Pakistan, making every fixture vital in the race for the knockout stages. New Zealand currently have one point after their opening Super 8 match against Pakistan was washed out, while Sri Lanka are winless after suffering a heavy 51-run defeat to England.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka T20 World Cup: Match Details

Match: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, Super 8 Group 2

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Venue: R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo

What is the toss time for the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka?

The toss time for the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka match is at 6:30 PM IST, and the match will start at 7 PM.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: Live Streaming Details

Where to watch New Zealand vs Sri Lanka match live on TV?

The New Zealand vs Sri Lanka T20 World Cup 2026 match will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network in India.

Where to watch New Zealand vs Sri Lanka match live on TV?

The England vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 match will be live streaming on the JioHotstar app and website.

How to watch New Zealand vs Sri Lanka live in other regions

United Kingdom

• TV Broadcast: Sky Sports Cricket
• Live Streaming: Sky Go and NOW TV

Pakistan

• TV Broadcast: PTV Sports
• Live Streaming: PTV Sports digital platforms and Daraz Live

Australia

• TV Broadcast: Fox Sports
• Live Streaming: Kayo Sports

New Zealand

• TV Broadcast: Sky Sport NZ
• Live Streaming: Sky Go NZ

United States & Canada

• TV Broadcast: Willow TV
• Live Streaming: Willow Xtra and Willow online streaming platforms

South Africa

• TV Broadcast: SuperSport
• Live Streaming: SuperSport app and website

Sri Lanka

• TV Broadcast: Star Sports / local ICC broadcast partners
• Live Streaming: ICC official digital platforms (region-dependent)

Rest of the World

• Live Streaming: ICC official website and digital platforms in select regions

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: Head-to-Head Record

This will be the 29th T20I meeting between the two sides. New Zealand holds the overall edge, having won 16 of the 28 matches played so far, while Sri Lanka has won 11, with one match ending in no result.

However, Sri Lanka boasts a superior record in T20 World Cup encounters, having won three of the six World Cup meetings between the teams, while New Zealand has managed two victories.

Recent Form

New Zealand’s last five matches: W, W, L, W, AB
Sri Lanka’s last five matches: W, W, W, L, L

The two teams last met in a T20I series in December 2024, with New Zealand winning 2-1 at home.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: Pitch & Weather Report

The Premadasa pitch is expected to offer good batting conditions early on, but it could slow down as the match progresses, bringing spinners into play. Weather forecasts suggest no rain interruptions, setting the stage for a full 40-over contest.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: Probable Playing XIs

New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka.