T20WC 2026 NZ vs SL Playing 11: Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand will square off against Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka in the 46th match of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on February 25 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
New Zealand’s game against Pakistan has been abandoned due to rain, and they will be aiming for a win to keep their semifinal qualification chances alive.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka lost the game against England and will be aiming to win the upcoming games to be in contention for the knockout stages.
Both Blackcaps and The Lions have met on 28 occasions in T20 format, where New Zealand have 16 wins, while Sri Lanka has 9 victories and 3 games ended with no results.
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl. Speaking at the toss, Dasun Shanaka said, “We are going to bowl first. Well, the batters need to take it deep. That was the learning from that game. The bowlers did a pretty decent job to be honest. Hopefully, I expect the same in this game.”
Sri Lanka has won the toss and elected to bowl here in Colombo.
Cole McConchie comes into the XI for Jimmy Neesham.
Watch LIVE in NZ on @skysportnz. Live scoring at https://t.co/r54ouGdwSb#NZvSL #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/fv5lK0gEAd
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 25, 2026
“There might be assistance for the spinners on this surface. They (New Zealand) don’t know what the surface is going to offer today. So, that’s the reason we chose to bowl.”
Speaking on today’s Sri Lanka Cricket team playing 11, Shanaka said, “One change from the last game. Mishara goes out and Asalanka comes in.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said, “Yeah, it’s been a few days. Disappointed with the rain a few days back but we have been training well.”
“Different guys have stepped up in different games. The top two guys have been brilliant,” added Santner.
While speaking on today New Zealand Cricket team playing 11, “We have one change. Cole McConchie comes in place of Jimmy Neesham.”
Little more spin. But it looks good. With the dimensions of the ground, it will be good to use spin,” concluded Mitchell Santner.
Before the match, check out the R. Premadasa Stadium Weather Report for the exact conditions during the clash.
T20WC 2026 NZ vs SL Playing 11
New Zealand Playing 11: Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson
Sri Lanka Playing 11: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka
