SL vs NZ Match Prediction : 46th Match, Super 8, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2026
SL vs NZ Win Probability
100%
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka To Win, 2.30
Four of the last five completed matches at this venue were won by the team batting first. Keep a close eye on the toss!
SL's spinners can be quite tough to counter in conditions that favor them.
Both teams have a strong batting lineup with the top order in form.
SL vs NZ Betting Tips
Kamil Mishara to score under 18.5 runs
Mishara has been badly out of form with the bat. He has crossed the 18-run mark just once in his last six outings. With a tricky pitch awaiting him in Colombo, another low-scoring game is on the cards for the Sri Lanka opener.
New Zealand total runs before the fall of the 1st wicket – over 24.5
Finn Allen and Tim Seifert have been the standout opening pair in this tournament. They have forged a partnership of at least 25 runs in each of their last three outings, including a century stand. Expect them to give the Black Caps another strong platform at the top.
Team form (Last 5 matches)
Sri Lanka
New Zealand
Sri Lanka host New Zealand in a crucial Super 8 fixture at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday. With both sides under pressure to deliver, this mid-week clash promises to be a highly competitive encounter in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
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Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Record
New Zealand holds a narrow advantage in recent head-to-head clashes, winning six of the last ten T20I meetings between the two sides, with Sri Lanka claiming the other four.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Live-streaming and Broadcast
| Country | TV Channel | Live Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| India | Star Sports Network | Disney+ Hotstar App |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Ten Sports | Myco App, Tamasha App |
| Australia | — | Amazon Prime Video |
| England (UK) | Sky Sports (Cricket/Main Event) | SkyGO, NOW, Sky Sports App |
| USA & Canada | Willow TV | Willow by Cricbuzz App |
| West Indies | ESPN Caribbean | ESPN Play Caribbean |
| South Africa | SuperSport | SuperSport App |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport NZ | Sky Sport Now, Sky Go |
| Sri Lanka | Maharaja TV (TV1, Sirasa, Shakti) | ICC.tv / Maharaja TV Website |
| Bangladesh | Nagorik TV | Toffee |
| UAE & MENA | CricLife MAX | StarzPlay, StarzON |
You can find live odds, updated tips after every day's play, and more information about this match at ocbsports.com.
SL vs NZ Team Previews
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka are in a difficult position after two back-to-back defeats. Following a shock group-stage loss to Zimbabwe, they were handed a heavy defeat by England in the Super 8s — a result that hurt both their points tally and their net run rate.
A top-order collapse was the root cause of their loss to England, with none of the top four batters reaching double figures while chasing a modest target. Leading run-scorer Pathum Nissanka needs to convert his starts into bigger contributions, while Kamil Mishara must find a way to produce a meaningful knock after a string of forgettable innings.
The middle order, comprising Kusal Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, and Dasun Shanaka, has the experience to anchor the innings, while the all-rounders Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis add valuable batting depth.
With the ball, Maheesh Theekshana remains Sri Lanka's biggest weapon and their leading wicket-taker in this tournament. He will spearhead the spin attack alongside Wellalage, while Dilshan Madushanka and Dushmantha Chameera will share the new-ball duties. Expect the home spinners to play a decisive role on the slow Colombo surface.
Sri Lanka Expected Playing 11
Kamil Mishara, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha.
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New Zealand
The Black Caps come into this match off the back of a rain-interrupted game against Pakistan, which ended in a points split. That result has tightened the race to the semifinals, making this a must-win fixture for Mitchell Santner's side.
Openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert will once again be the key to New Zealand's success. The middle order — featuring Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, and James Neesham — has failed to fire consistently, meaning a big opening stand is non-negotiable. Seifert has led the batting chart with two half-centuries in four innings and will be the one to watch. Glenn Phillips provides the crucial ability to accelerate at any stage of the innings.
The bowling, however, remains a concern. While Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, and Jacob Duffy have combined for 11 wickets, their collective economy rate hovers close to 10 runs per over. The spin department has been even more worrying, with Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips managing just one wicket each.
The Black Caps must improve their bowling discipline if they are to contain Sri Lanka on a home track.
New Zealand Expected Playing 11
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (c), Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi.
SL vs NZ Toss Prediction
Recent data from the R. Premadasa Stadium shows an even split between teams batting first and teams chasing in the last six matches. That said, given the sluggish nature of the pitch, the captain winning the toss is likely to prefer bowling first and setting up the chase.
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
The R. Premadasa Stadium has offered well-balanced pitches throughout this World Cup. The surface is typically on the slower side, demanding patience from the batters in the early overs before they can open up and play their natural game. The average first-innings score at this venue during the tournament has been around 175, which serves as a solid benchmark for what constitutes a competitive total.
The weather is clear after weekend rain, with sunny skies and no interruptions expected.
SL vs NZ : Who Will Win?
This is a high-stakes fixture with both sides desperate to avoid elimination from the Super 8 stage. Despite the pressure on both camps, we lean toward Sri Lanka to take the win. The hosts possess a quality spin attack perfectly suited to the Colombo conditions, combined with a deep and experienced batting order.
Playing at home adds another layer of confidence, and on a surface where spin dominates, Sri Lanka are well-equipped to get the better of a struggling New Zealand side. The odds make it worth the risk.
Bet on Sri Lanka to win.
