Pakistan and New Zealand will open the Super Eights stage of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Saturday, February 21, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Both teams, considered dark horses for the title, are looking to make a strong start in this crucial phase of the tournament. Pakistan enter the match after a commanding 102-run victory over Namibia that secured their Super Eights berth, while New Zealand finished their group stage with an eight-wicket win against Canada.

Pakistan’s Shadab Khan expressed confidence that his side could go on to win the World Cup, calling their recent performance a sign of progress after earlier setbacks, including a heavy defeat to India. He cautioned, however, that the Super Eights will be tougher, with England and co-hosts Sri Lanka also awaiting Pakistan. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner is expected to return after illness, with spin likely to play a key role in Colombo’s conditions.

This will be the 50th T20 meeting between the two nations, with Pakistan narrowly leading the head-to-head record 24–23. Both sides hope to establish early momentum in their pursuit of the title.

Sri Lanka’s parliament has voted to abolish pension benefits for its members, fulfilling a key election pledge of the ruling leftist government. The vote took place on Tuesday, with 154 lawmakers supporting the bill and only two opposing it, while the rest were absent. Previously, legislators were entitled to a pension after serving a five-year term. Under the new law, payments to those already receiving or eligible for pensions have also been halted.

The reform follows President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s 2024 election victory, which was based on promises of economic restructuring amid a prolonged financial crisis. Since taking office, Dissanayake has successively removed housing, vehicle, and security privileges for members of parliament. The pension cancellation marks another step in his administration’s effort to reduce state expenses and demonstrate fiscal discipline.

The move is presented as part of the government’s broader plan to overcome the economic crisis and restore public confidence in political accountability.

The much-anticipated India–Pakistan T20 World Cup match, scheduled for this evening, faces fresh uncertainty due to adverse weather conditions. The game is set to begin at 7:30 p.m., with the toss planned for 7 p.m., but the Sri Lankan Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall during that period. A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal has created a 70 percent chance of rain, raising concerns about whether the match can start on time.

According to forecasts, moderate rain may begin between 6 and 7 p.m., intensifying around the toss. Although the rain may ease later, the time required to make the field playable remains uncertain. If the rain persists, the match could be delayed, shortened, or even abandoned, in which case both teams would receive one point each. Both India and Pakistan currently have four points from two wins, with India leading on net run rate.

Fan excitement remains high, with flight and hotel prices to Colombo soaring. However, all eyes are now on the skies as cricket fans hope the weather allows the marquee contest to proceed as planned.

The ongoing T20 World Cup reaches a fever pitch as India and Pakistan meet today at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium. Both teams have won their first two matches, making this encounter decisive for securing a Super Eight berth. The match follows earlier tensions after Pakistan initially announced a boycott in support of Bangladesh’s non-participation, prompting ICC intervention and a subsequent agreement to proceed as scheduled.

India, the defending champion, enters the match in strong form after defeating the United States and Namibia. Pakistan also arrives unbeaten, with victories over the Netherlands and the United States. India may miss opener Abhishek Sharma due to illness, while Pakistan reports no injuries. Key duels include Kuldeep Yadav versus Babar Azam and Hardik Pandya against Usman Tariq, whose bowling action has drawn attention.

Historically, India has dominated this rivalry, winning 13 of 16 T20 meetings and seven of eight in World Cups. The match carries not only sporting significance but also symbolic weight, reflecting the enduring intensity of the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry.

Former cricketer Michael Clarke has predicted that India will defeat Pakistan in their upcoming World Cup match in Sri Lanka. Writing on February 15, 2026, Clarke said India are in top form while Pakistan are struggling to find consistency. He noted that Pakistan have overcome some off-field issues but argued that these would not help them overcome India’s dominance. According to Clarke, Pakistan can only win if India make mistakes.

Clarke emphasized that the match will not be easy because playing conditions in Sri Lanka differ from those in India. He expects the pitch to offer more turn and slower pace, making high scores unlikely. A total of around 190 runs could be a challenging target, he suggested. The buildup to the India-Pakistan encounter has intensified public interest, with discussions about the match dominating World Cup coverage.

Clarke added that both teams have previously won against each other, but India’s current form gives them the upper hand. The heightened anticipation surrounding the fixture has made it one of the most talked-about contests of the tournament.

Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo has transformed into a cricket festival ahead of the India-Pakistan clash in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The high-voltage match, scheduled for February 15 at the Premadasa Stadium, saw all 35,000 tickets sell out rapidly, reflecting the intensity of fan excitement. Reuters reported that hotel rates, normally between 100 and 150 dollars per night, have surged to as high as 660 dollars, with most rooms fully booked. Airfares from Chennai to Colombo have risen to between 623 and 756 dollars, while Delhi-Colombo flights are up nearly 50 percent, reaching 666 dollars.

According to Colombo travel agencies, bookings spiked immediately after the match venue was confirmed, especially from Indian cities. Nalin Jayasundera, president of Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators, said most foreign fans are arriving on all-inclusive packages costing 1,500–2,000 dollars, covering tickets, hotels, and transport. Tourism, Sri Lanka’s third-largest foreign exchange earner, is seeing a boost after recent economic and natural disasters. Tourism chief Buddhika Hewawasam noted that 20 percent of the first 100,000 visitors in ten days came for this match, strengthening Colombo’s confidence as a neutral venue.

Before the first ball is bowled, Sri Lanka appears to be the economic winner, while fans celebrate a cross-border cricket festival of emotion and rivalry.

The much-anticipated India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match, set for February 15 at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium, faces new uncertainty due to weather concerns. According to a Geo TV report, there is a 65 percent chance of rain on Sunday evening, with thunderstorms expected around 6 p.m. local time. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., and officials fear that rain could disrupt play.

Under ICC T20 regulations, both teams must play at least five overs each for a result to be declared. If overs are reduced, the DLS method will determine the outcome. As this is a group-stage match, no reserve day has been allocated, meaning that if the game is abandoned, both sides will share points.

Earlier, the fixture itself had been in doubt after Pakistan initially boycotted the match in protest over Bangladesh’s absence from the World Cup. The Pakistan Cricket Board reversed its decision on February 9 following a meeting in Lahore with ICC representatives and Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul, ending more than a week of uncertainty.

Sri Lanka defeated Oman by 105 runs in a Group B match of the T20 World Cup, securing their second consecutive victory and moving closer to the Super Eight stage. Batting first after losing the toss, Sri Lanka posted 225 for 5 in 20 overs, the highest team total of the tournament so far. Kusal Mendis scored 61 off 45 balls, Pawan Rathnayake hit 60 off 28, and captain Dasun Shanaka added 50 off 20 balls.

In reply, Oman struggled from the start, losing three wickets for 36 runs in the powerplay and finishing at 120 for 9 in 20 overs. Mohammad Nadeem remained unbeaten on 53 from 56 balls, while Wasim Ali contributed 27. For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera took two wickets each. Rathnayake was named Player of the Match.

With this win, Sri Lanka lead Group B with four points and a net run rate of +3.125, followed by Australia and Zimbabwe. Oman and Ireland remain winless after two matches.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed gratitude to Pakistan after the country agreed to play against India in the ongoing T20 World Cup in Colombo. Following the announcement, Dissanayake posted on the X platform, saying he was delighted that the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match would take place as scheduled and thanked Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his cooperation.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath also extended appreciation to Pakistan’s leadership, government, and foreign ministry for positively considering Sri Lanka’s request. He thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and sports authorities for their support, describing the decision as a reflection of sportsmanship, friendship, and the strength of bilateral relations between the two nations.

Earlier, Pakistan’s government said it reviewed formal requests from the Bangladesh Cricket Board and supportive messages from Sri Lanka, the UAE, and other member countries before withdrawing its decision to boycott the India match, aiming to ensure an effective resolution to recent challenges.

Sri Lanka began their T20 World Cup campaign with a 20-run victory over Ireland in Colombo. After losing the toss, Sri Lanka batted first and posted 163 for six in 20 overs, led by an unbeaten 56 from Kusal Mendis and a quickfire 44 off 19 balls from Kamindu Mendis. Ireland appeared on track for an upset, needing 60 runs from the final six overs with eight wickets in hand, but their chase collapsed dramatically.

Ireland lost eight wickets for just 38 runs in the last 35 balls, finishing all out for 143 in 19.5 overs. For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga each took three wickets, while Matheesha Pathirana claimed two. Ireland’s best efforts came from Harry Tector with 40 and Ross Adair with 34. Kamindu Mendis was named Player of the Match for his explosive batting performance.

The win gave host Sri Lanka a strong start to their home World Cup campaign, while Ireland will look to recover quickly in their next group match.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider its decision to boycott the World Cup match against India, citing potential financial losses. The match, one of the tournament’s most commercially valuable fixtures, could cost the International Cricket Council (ICC) around 500 million US dollars if it does not take place. Each cricket board of the two rival nations could lose approximately 2 billion Indian rupees directly and indirectly.

SLC stated that the boycott would also harm Sri Lanka’s economy, particularly its tourism sector, which is still recovering from the 2022 financial crisis. The board emphasized that as a co-host of the World Cup, it stands to face significant economic setbacks if the high-profile match is canceled.

However, the PCB has declined to act on Sri Lanka’s request, explaining that the decision to boycott India was made by the Pakistani government and is beyond the board’s authority. The ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had previously failed to persuade Pakistan to reverse its stance.

England defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the rain-affected second T20 match in Pallekele, securing an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match series. The victory also marked England’s tenth consecutive T20 win over Sri Lanka since May 2014. Batting first after losing the toss, Sri Lanka posted 189 for five, with contributions from Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, and Pawan Rathnayake. Rain interrupted England’s chase, and the target was revised to 168 runs from 17 overs under the DLS method.

England reached the target with two balls to spare, led by Tom Banton’s unbeaten 54 off 33 balls and Harry Brook’s quickfire 36 off 12. Earlier, England lost two wickets before the rain delay but regained control after play resumed. The match result ensured England’s series win ahead of the final game, scheduled to be played at the same venue the following day.

The result extended Sri Lanka’s winless run against England in T20 internationals, highlighting the visitors’ dominance in the format over the past decade.

Pakistan has announced that it will not play its scheduled T20 World Cup match against India. Despite the boycott, India must still travel to Sri Lanka under ICC regulations. The match is set for February 15 at the Premadasa Stadium, and India is required to attend pre-match events, continue training, and report to the venue on match day even if the game does not take place.

According to ICC rules, if Pakistan fails to field a team, the match referee will make the final decision. In that case, India would receive two points, but only if it complies with all match-day obligations. If India also fails to appear, both teams would receive one point each. Pakistan’s decision could negatively affect its net run rate, while India’s would remain unchanged.

Neither the Board of Control for Cricket in India nor the ICC has issued any official comment on the situation. The report suggests that a tough decision may be forthcoming for Pakistan.

England began their T20 series against Sri Lanka with a rain-affected victory at Pallekele on January 31, 2026. The visitors won by 11 runs under the DLS method after rain stopped play when England were 125 for 4 in 15 overs while chasing a target of 134. Phil Salt contributed 46 runs, helping England secure a 1–0 lead in the three-match series led by Harry Brook.

Sri Lanka’s innings ended at 133 all out in 16.2 overs after the match was reduced to 17 overs due to rain. Kusal Mendis scored 37 runs, while the team suffered a sudden collapse after reaching 76 for 1. Sam Curran claimed his first international T20 hat-trick by dismissing Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, and Matheesha Pathirana in the final three balls of the 16th over.

With this win, England extended their dominance on the tour, having already secured the preceding ODI series.

Sri Lanka will deploy elite armed forces to ensure security during the upcoming T20 World Cup, particularly for the high-profile India-Pakistan match scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. The Sri Lankan government has decided to assign elite commando units, usually responsible for protecting foreign heads of state, to safeguard all participating teams from arrival to departure. The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will run from February 7 to March 8 with a total of 20 matches.

Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage told AFP that Sri Lanka is giving top priority to organizing the tournament smoothly and will pay special attention to matches involving India and Pakistan. Police and security officials confirmed that players will remain under armed protection throughout their stay in the country.

Pakistan has not yet made a final decision on its participation in the World Cup and may boycott only the match against India, according to reports. Despite this uncertainty, Sri Lanka is proceeding with full preparations assuming Pakistan will compete.