The opening Super Eights clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 between Pakistan and New Zealand was abandoned without a ball being bowled after persistent rain at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.Heavy showers began shortly after Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat. However, continuous rainfall kept the covers firmly in place, preventing any chance of play throughout the evening.
Match officials carried out the first inspection at 7:40pm Pakistan Standard Time (PST), but the conditions did not improve. The cut-off time for a minimum five-over contest was set at 9:46pm PST. With rain still falling and the outfield deemed unfit, the umpires were ultimately forced to call off the match.As a result, both Pakistan and New Zealand shared one point each at the start of the Super Eights stage.The washout proved frustrating for both sides.
Pakistan were aiming to carry forward their momentum after successfully advancing from the group stage, while New Zealand had also entered the second phase determined to make an early impact in what is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive tournament.Both teams will now shift focus to their remaining Super Eights fixtures as the race for the semi-finals intensifies.
