New Zealand’s Matt Henry, centre, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka, left, during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is building up nicely for what is going to be an exciting business end of the tournament next month. Yesterday, England became the first semi-finalists from Group B with a tough 2-wicket win against Pakistan and now the attention shifts to the other two teams – Sri Lanka and New Zealand, who face off in a crucial match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. While the Kiwis dropped a point due to their washed out Super 8 opener against Pakistan, the co-hosts were handed a 51-run loss by the Harry Brook’s England. It is still very much a three-way race for the remaining semi-final spot from Group B and that’s why it will be an important game to win for both sides. Follow along for the real-time updates, live scores and more.

LIVE UPDATES

25 Feb 2026, 09:26:22 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: SL 20/2 (6)

New Zealand dominated the powerplay thanks to Matt Henry’s sensational opening spell, reducing Sri Lanka to 20/2 after six overs. Early wickets put the Lankan batters under pressure, forcing Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake to adopt a cautious approach. Runs came slowly as tight bowling and disciplined lines from the Kiwi attack prevented boundaries, leaving Sri Lanka searching for momentum heading into the middle overs.

25 Feb 2026, 09:16:15 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: SL 9/2 (3)

Matt Henry continued his fiery spell, striking again at the start of his second over to remove Charith Asalanka, who mistimed a cross-batted shot straight to Daryl Mitchell at mid-wicket. The Kiwi pacer kept Sri Lanka under relentless pressure with movement and sharp pace, conceding just three runs in the over. Sri Lanka slipped further into trouble at 9/2, struggling to counter Henry’s early dominance.

25 Feb 2026, 09:05:58 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: SL 0/1 (1)

Matt Henry produced a sensational opening over for New Zealand, striking on the very first ball to bowl Pathum Nissanka for a duck with a sharp seaming delivery. Charith Asalanka then faced relentless pressure, unable to score as Henry kept things tight. It turned into a perfect wicket-maiden, leaving Sri Lanka struggling early at 0/1 after the first over.

25 Feb 2026, 09:04:42 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Second Innings Starts

Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are in the middle, with Nissanka taking strike as Matt Henry prepares to begin the bowling attack.

25 Feb 2026, 08:47:20 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: NZ 168/7 (20)

Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie shifted the momentum completely, hammering 70 runs off the final 24 balls. The breakthrough came in the 18th over, where they feasted on Maheesh Theekshana, taking him for 21 runs. Santner was particularly aggressive, launching two massive sixes that seemed to deflate the Sri Lankan fielders.

25 Feb 2026, 08:40:30 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: NZ 155/6 (19)

Excellent recovery from Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie as they put together a 70+ run stand to go above 150. Final over remaining.

25 Feb 2026, 08:25:41 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: NZ 111/6 (16.4)

Skipper Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie to provide a solid finish to the New Zealand innings. It has been a forgettable night out with the bat for the Kiwis.

25 Feb 2026, 08:12:25 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: NZ 88/6 (14)

What did just happen eight now? New Zealand have gone from 80/3 to 88/6 in the space of just 4 overs. Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman were removed by Maheesh Theekshana in the 12th over while Daryl Mitchell received his marching orders in the first ball of the following over.

The Kiwis are in all sorts of trouble now.

25 Feb 2026, 07:56:17 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: NZ 80/3 (10.3)

Glenn Phillips has been dismissed for a run-a-ball 18 but the run-rate is still well above 7. It is not an easy pitch to bat on and New Zealand will be looking at a score of 150-160.

25 Feb 2026, 07:38:40 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: NZ 52/2 (7)

Sri Lanka have got rid of both of the dangerous Kiwi openers cheaply with Tim Seifert becoming the latest to depart for 20 runs. The reliable Rachin Ravindra and power hitter Glenn Phillips are at the crease now.

25 Feb 2026, 07:21:31 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: NZ 33/1 (4)

Maheesh Theekshana gets his man and some much-needed redemption. After dropping a sitter in the previous over, the mystery spinner struck back with a perfectly disguised carrom ball. Finn Allen, looking to stay leg-side, could only chip a tame return catch.

25 Feb 2026, 07:03:57 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Underway

We are underway for the 1st innings of this all-important Super 8s match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Kiwi openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen are on the crease to face Dilshan Madushanka’s first over.

25 Feb 2026, 06:48:29 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Toss Update

New Zealand XI: Tim Seifert (WK), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (C), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson

Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka

25 Feb 2026, 06:35:31 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Toss Update

Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first.

25 Feb 2026, 06:20:32 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Pitch Report

The R. Premadasa Stadium offers a balanced black-soil surface that starts flat but slows down as the match progresses. While pacers get early bounce, spinners will dominate the middle overs with significant grip and turn. Chasing is difficult here, though evening dew may slightly assist the team batting second.

25 Feb 2026, 05:59:07 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Head-To-Head Record

25 Feb 2026, 05:37:58 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Live Streaming 

This match can be live streamed on the JioHotstar app/website as well as the Star Sports network on television screens.

25 Feb 2026, 05:36:23 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Hourly Weather Report

5PM – 8PM: Mostly cloudy, becoming clear by 8 PM. Highs around 29°C.

8 PM – 10 PM: Clear skies and 27°C. Low chance of rain (approx. 10-15%).

10 PM – 12 AM: Rain chances increase to 49% after 10 PM and 58% by 11 PM, so the end of the match could see some light spells

25 Feb 2026, 05:07:25 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Colombo Weather Report

In Colombo, the weather is currently mostly cloudy at 28°C, and a full match is likely. While there is a 14% chance of rain at the 7 PM start time, conditions are expected to stay clear during the primary playing hours.

25 Feb 2026, 04:47:28 pm IST

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Welcome

Good Evening to each and every reader joining us for the Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand, ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This is the start of our live blog, stay tuned for the build-up.