What is New Zealand’s record at R. Premadasa Stadium in T20Is?

Published - 21 Feb 2026, 18:07 IST | Updated - 21 Feb 2026, 18:42 IST

New Zealand will play their Super 8 matches at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The Kiwis played three of their group games at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai and the other one at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The Kiwis finished second in Group D behind South Africa. They defeated Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada comprehensively. However, they were outplayed by South Africa in Ahmedabad.

New Zealand have a memorable record in T20Is at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. They played two T20Is at the picturesque venue and won both. The Kiwis played a two-match T20I series against the Lankan Lions and won both games while batting first.

On September 2, 2009, in the first T20I, New Zealand batted first and posted 141/8 in their 20 overs. Ross Taylor top-scored with a 45-ball 60. In reply, Tillakaratne Dilshan scored a quickfire half-century at the top of the order, but the Kiwis fought back through the middle overs by picking up wickets at regular intervals. In the end, Sri Lanka were restricted to 138/9, losing the low-scoring thriller by three runs. Daniel Vettori bowled a stunning spell, finishing with figures of 2/11 in four overs. Jacob Oram also bagged a crucial three-for.

In the second T20I on September 4, the Kiwis batted better, putting on a total of 170/4. Jess Ryder played a remarkable knock, smashing 52 off 37 balls. Fellow opener Brendon McCullum also chipped in with 49 off 32 deliveries.

In the second innings, New Zealand pacers took three early wickets with the new ball. However, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara forged a comeback for the hosts. However, once the partnership was broken, New Zealand kept taking wickets at regular intervals. Sri Lanka finished on 148/8, as the Black Caps won by 22 runs to take the series 2-0.

Tim Seifert is the leading run-getter for New Zealand in the ongoing World Cup. He has scored 173 runs from four innings at an average of 57.66 and a strike rate of 167.96. Meanwhile, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson are the joint top wicket-takers for the Kiwis, having bagged four scalps. However, Ferugson has played three games compared to four by Henry.