Super 8s starts with washout as Pakistan vs New Zealand abandoned

Colombo’s monsoon mood gate-crashed the opening night of the T20 World Cup Super 8s, forcing Pakistan and New Zealand to settle for a point apiece after relentless rain wiped out their Group 2 clash at R Premadasa Stadium. Not a single delivery was possible: Pakistan had won the toss and chosen to bat, but the weather never relented and officials abandoned the contest midway through the scheduled window.

The no-result leaves both sides, who arrived in the second phase with three first-round wins and one defeat, level on one point in a pool that also features England and Sri Lanka. With only the top two finishers guaranteed passage to the semi-finals, every remaining fixture now carries extra weight.

England will attempt to seize early control of the group when they meet Sri Lanka on Sunday morning in Pallekele, first ball 9.30am live on Sky Sports. Harry Brook’s team swept the hosts 3-0 in a bilateral series earlier this month and are chasing a 12th consecutive T20 victory over the 2014 champions. England then face Pakistan in Pallekele on Tuesday and New Zealand in Colombo on Friday, while Sri Lanka tangle with New Zealand on Wednesday and Pakistan next Saturday, 28 February.

The pre-tournament seeding process placed all four first-round group winners—India, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe—into Group 1, setting up a potentially lopsided balance of power. Each team meets the others in its group once, with no second chances.

Australia, the 2021 champions, failed to reach the Super 8s after losses to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, leaving New Zealand as the only side in Group 2 yet to lift the T20 World Cup trophy. England won the title in 2010 and 2022, Pakistan in 2009 and Sri Lanka in 2014; the Black Caps’ best finish remains their runners-up spot to Australia three years ago.

Every match of the tournament will be shown live on Sky Sports Cricket, culminating in the final on Sunday 8 March.