Super Eight PAK vs NZ LIVE updates: Pakistan bat first amid looming rain threat

ISLAMABAD: The Super Eight opening clash of the T20 World Cup saw Pakistan win the toss against New Zealand, and chose to bat first first . But due to the raining weather situation the PAK VS NZ live clash is yet to be decided.

Tonight’s crucial Super Eight encounter between Pakistan and New Zealand is a tough competition taking place at the Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo, with weather forecasts believing the PAK VS NZ match might not be played.

New Zealand Squad: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, skipper Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson

Pakistan Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq, Fakhar Zaman

Live weather concern grows

Colombo has been battling thick cloud cover throughout the day, with spells of light rain already affecting the city. As evening approaches, forecasts suggest a continued risk of showers and even thunderstorms around match time.

Rain probability remains high, ranging between 50 per cent and 75 per cent, making interruptions during play highly likely. The outfield conditions and damp pitch could also delay the start if rain persists.

Match at risk, no backup day

The situation is particularly tense because there is no reserve day for Super Eight fixtures. If the match cannot reach the minimum of five overs per side, both Pakistan and New Zealand will be forced to share points.

In a tightly contested group that also includes England and Sri Lanka, losing points due to weather could significantly impact semifinal chances.

Hope for a shortened game

There is still a window of opportunity. Weather models indicate rain may ease later in the night, reducing the probability to around 25 per cent. However, heavy cloud cover and high humidity will remain, meaning conditions will still be far from ideal.

A shortened match, rather than a complete washout, is currently the most realistic scenario if the rain clears in time.

High-stakes battle on hold

Pakistan come into this clash with strong momentum after winning three of their four group-stage matches, while New Zealand have also shown solid form and adaptability in subcontinental conditions.

But as both sides gear up for a must-win encounter, the focus has shifted from team strategies to weather updates.

Final word

For now, the biggest question isn’t who will win, but whether the game will be played at all. With storm clouds hovering over Colombo, fans and players alike anxiously await a break in the weather that could allow cricket to take centre stage.