T20 World Cup 2026: Super Eights, Match 41, NZ vs PAK – Top 3 player battles to watch out for

Published - 20 Feb 2026, 11:04 IST | Updated - 20 Feb 2026, 11:38 IST

The Super Eights clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played on February 21 at the R. Premadasa Stadium, with both teams arriving in strong form.

Pakistan finished the group stage with three wins in four matches. They began with a nervy three-wicket victory over the Netherlands, followed it up by beating the USA by 32 runs, and then suffered a 61-run setback against India. However, they bounced back by thrashing Namibia by 102 runs to seal qualification.

New Zealand, too, won three of their four games and finished second in their group with a net run rate. They defeated Afghanistan, UAE, and Canada convincingly, with their only loss coming against South Africa.

The contest between Finn Allen and Shadab Khan will be fascinating. So far, Allen has dominated their head-to-head battle. In three innings against Shadab, the New Zealand opener has smashed 44 runs off just 20 balls, striking at 220.00. Shadab has managed just one dismissal, conceding runs at an economy of 13.20 in this match-up.

Allen has been in destructive touch in the tournament, with his unbeaten 84 against the UAE and a record 175-run stand with Tim Seifert. Meanwhile, Shadab has contributed as a genuine all-rounder, chipping in with crucial runs and wickets, including a three-wicket haul against Namibia.