England vs New Zealand, 49th Match, Super Eights Group 2 – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
England head into their final Super 8s fixture riding high after securing a semi-final spot, but New Zealand still have everything to play for in this blockbuster at R. Premadasa Stadium. With Harry Brook’s stunning century powering the win over Pakistan last time, the defending champions aim to finish top while denying NZ a last-four berth. Toss-up at 19:00 local (Sri Lanka time), that’s 18:30 IST on February 27, 2026.
England vs New Zealand, 49th Match (Super Eights, Group 2), ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Date: Friday, February 27, 2026. Time: 19:00 SLT / 18:30 IST. Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Premadasa has turned into a spinner’s paradise deeper in the tournament—low, slow surfaces gripping for tweakers, with scores around 150-160 defending well under dew later. Bat-first captains winning more tosses lately. Expect humid night: 28°C, 70% humidity, partly cloudy, minimal rain risk for full 20 overs.
England, already through to semis, want to top Group 2 for favorable quarter path; a bonus-point win boosts NRR. New Zealand must win (or tie with strong NRR) to pip Pakistan—lower order heroics vs SL last outing give hope, but pressure mounts on coach Walter’s ‘problem-solvers’.
England’s settled XI has clicked: Brook’s 100 vs Pak, plus Buttler’s returns, mark five straight unbeaten Super 8s games (two no-results). Momentum from group stage revival post early wobbles. NZ bounced back vs SL with Ravindra’s 4-fer and late batting fight (despite least wickets taken overall), but inconsistent campaign needs semi-clincher.
ENG vs NZ Match Details
- Match: England vs New Zealand, 49th Match
- Teams: ENG vs NZ
- Date: 27 Feb 2026
- Time: 6:30 PM 1:30 PM GMT / 7:00 PM LOCAL
- Venue: Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
T20 World 2026 Live Streaming Info
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off on February 7, 2026, and wraps up with the final on March 8, 2026. Hosted across India and Sri Lanka with 20 teams, it spans about a month—group stages from early February, Super 8s mid-month, semis late February/early March, and the final in Colombo or Mumbai.
- In India, tune into Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2) or stream on Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema.
- Pakistan viewers can watch on PTV Sports, A Sports, or Ten Sports, with streaming available on Tapmad and Tamasha.
- For Sri Lanka, options include SLRC, Channel Eye, and Siyatha TV on TV, plus Sri Lanka Cricket YouTube and Dialog ViU online.
- UK fans have Sky Sports Cricket, TNT Sports 1, and talkSPORT on television, alongside Sky Go, Discovery+, and NOW TV for streaming.
- In South Africa, SuperSport covers it on TV and via their app.
- Australia might check Fox Sports for TV and Kayo Sports for live streams.
- USA and Canada: Willow TV on TV, Sling TV or Willow HD app for streaming.
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ on TV and Sky Go app.
- Bangladesh: Gazi TV (GTV) and Rabith BD app.
- Afghanistan: RTA Sport and Ariana TV.
Rest of the world: ICC.tv for free streaming where no local rights holder exists. Subscriptions often apply, and VPNs can assist with geo-blocks where permitted.
How to Watch the Match for Free:
Catch every boundary without paying via these official free options, perfect for fans in Pakistan and beyond.
Pakistan: PTV Sports broadcasts all matches live for free on TV via terrestrial, cable, and satellite—no subscription needed.
Live Streaming Info:
The 49th T20 World Cup match will be live on Willow Cricket.
Live Score Info:
Probable XIs
ENG Probable XI: Jos Buttler (wk), Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Harry Brook (c), Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley
NZ Probable XI: Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult
Head-to-Head
Across 23 T20Is, England lead 11-9 with 3 no-results. Last five: ENG 3 wins, NZ 2—England chased 177 vs NZ in 2025 group stage; NZ edged thriller by 6 runs last bilateral; ENG won by 4 wkts in NZ 2024.
England Analysis
Strengths: Explosive top (Brook 258 runs @172 SR, Buttler steady), spin depth (Rehan Ahmed lurking), death bowling smarts. Weaknesses: Pace reliant on Archer if spin dominates Prem. Recent: Brook century, clinical chases. Keys: Brook (form machine), Buttler (anchor), Rashid (wicket-taker).
New Zealand Analysis
Strengths: All-round balance—Ravindra’s shock bowling burst, Williamson class, Southee experience targeting ENG’s ‘perfect game’. Weaknesses: Bowling leaks (fewest wickets), top-order fragility vs spin. Recent: Lower-order rescues vs SL, but NRR pressure. Keys: Ravindra (surprise star), Williamson (240 runs), Southee (swing threat).
Key Talking Points
Brook vs NZ seamers—he’s feasted lately; can Southee disrupt? Prem’s spin aids Rashid/Santner duel. NZ coach banks on adaptability despite wickets drought; England’s bench (Tongue, Wood) tempts tweaks. Emotional Southee-England face-off, plus semi-stakes for Kiwis. NRR math tight—win seals it.
England’s settled side, Brook fireworks, and Premada spin edge give them upper hand despite NZ fight—hosts likely defend 160ish or chase smartly, winning by 10-15 runs. Form and options favor ENG 60% shot