play Live Sign upShow navigation menuplay Live Click here to searchsearchSign upSport|ICC Men's T20 World CupPakistan-New Zealand Super Eights opener abandoned at T20 World CupPersistent rain in Colombo forces abandonment of Pakistan’s game with New Zealand, which was to open Super Eights stage.
Listen to this article | 1 mininfoAn electronic screen displays the match being abandoned due to rain during the 2026 ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup Super Eight match between Pakistan and New Zealand, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka [Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP]By Kevin HandPublished On 21 Feb 202621 Feb 2026Click here to share on social mediashare2Share
Pakistan and New Zealand’s Super Eights match to open the second phase of the 2026 T20 World Cup was abandoned because of rain without a ball being bowled.
The rain started at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium as soon as Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and chose to bat first on Saturday.
The post-toss interviews were completed, but with the forecast suggesting the game would be in doubt, there was little surprise when the teams ran for cover.
More than 60 ground staff were on hand to cover the square and the majority of the playing surface.
The persistent rain eventually led to the umpires calling the Group 2 match off at 9:05pm local time (15:35 GMT).
Not even a five-over match was possible by the 10:16 pm (16:46 GMT) cut-off time, giving the two teams one point each.
Tournament co-host India plays South Africa in Ahmedabad in the first Group 1 match on Sunday, when co-host Sri Lanka and England meet in Group 2 in Pallekele.
