New Delhi: The opening match of the Super Eights of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was called off on Saturday after incessant rains prevented the match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.With conditions failing to improve enough for play to begin, officials called off the match, meaning the Super Eights phase began without bowling. Both teams have one point each, which could affect their chances of reaching the semi-finals.The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) playing conditions for this tournament require each side to play at least five overs before a result can be declared. The cut-off time for the shortened competition was set at 10:15pm, but the weather never cleared. Since there are no reserve days for the Super Eights – only the semi-finals and finals can be played – the match was abandoned and marked as “inconclusive”. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first in light rain, but the rain soon intensified and the match was abandoned.Before being eliminated, Pakistan made one change, replacing Khawaja Nafay with Fakhar Zaman.New Zealand have made three changes, with skipper Mitchell Santner returning after missing the last game against Canada due to a stomach problem, while Rocky Ferguson and Ish Sodhi have also made their way into the starting XI.The forfeited game adds to tensions between the two teams ahead of their remaining two Super Eight games. Another crushing defeat or loss could severely impact their chances of reaching the semi-finals. Pakistan, New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka are in the second group of the Super Eights. Pakistan will play their next Super Eight match against England on February 24 at the Palleke International Cricket Stadium.The New Zealand team will stay in Colombo to face Sri Lanka on February 25.
