Match Abandoned Without a Ball Bowled in Colombo
The Super Eight clash between Pakistan and New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was abandoned due to heavy rain in Colombo on Saturday. Not a single ball was bowled at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.
The much-anticipated Group 2 fixture was called off after persistent downpour made the outfield unplayable. Both teams were awarded one point each as per tournament rules.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha had won the toss and elected to bat first. However, rain began shortly after the toss and continued for nearly two-and-a-half hours. Ground staff worked to remove water from the field, but puddles remained across the outfield.
The official cut-off time for a five-over-per-side contest was 9:46 PM Pakistan Standard Time. Despite that deadline, match officials abandoned the game nearly an hour earlier due to unsafe playing conditions.
The washout disappointed fans who were expecting a high-intensity contest between the two sides. The result now adds further pressure to the remaining Super Eight matches.
Group 2 Standings Tighten After Shared Points
With the no-result, both Pakistan and New Zealand secured one point each. The shared points have tightened the race in Group 2. England and co-host Sri Lanka are the other teams in the group.
England and Sri Lanka are scheduled to face each other next. Their result could significantly impact the qualification scenario for the semi-finals.
Pakistan, the 2009 T20 World Cup champions, will next face England at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Tuesday. New Zealand will take on Sri Lanka the following day in Colombo.
Only the top two teams from each Super Eight group will qualify for the semi-finals. The knockout matches are scheduled for March 4 and March 5.
Semi-Final Venues Depend on Pakistan’s Qualification
Under the tournament’s “Fusion Formula,” Pakistan are playing all their T20 World Cup 2026 matches in Sri Lanka. If Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, the first semi-final will be held at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
If Pakistan fail to reach the last four, the semi-final venue will shift to Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The venue for the final, scheduled for March 8, is also subject to Pakistan’s qualification status.
The rain-affected result has increased the stakes for Pakistan’s remaining fixtures. Net run rate and points will now play a crucial role in determining the semi-finalists.
Fans will be hoping for clear weather in the upcoming matches as the Super Eight stage enters a decisive phase. Every game from here on could determine the road to the T20 World Cup 2026 final.
