India, Feb. 21 -- The group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 is firmly over, and the Super 8s action is about to begin. The opening game will see Pakistan face New Zealand at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Neither team would want to lose their opening match, as a defeat would leave them chasing the game. Only two teams from each Super 8s group would qualify for the semi-finals, and hence every match is of utmost importance. Earlier, in the group stage, both New Zealand and Pakistan lost one match each, against South Africa and India, respectively.

Heading into the match against New Zealand, Pakistan have a lot to answer for. The batting has left much to be desired and is overly dependent on opening batter Sahibzada Farhan. Babar Aza...