New Zealand batter Mark Chapman has revealed the name of a dangerous Pakistani bowler for the upcoming Pakistan vs New Zealand match of Super Eight at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday.
Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, he revealed that Usman Tariq will be a particularly challenging threat from Pakistan’s spin attack ahead of the clash.
The 27-year-old left-arm spinner Usman Tariq has been in impressive form in the tournament, claiming eight wickets at an economy rate of 5.83 and an average of 8.38. He produced a standout performance with four wickets against Namibia in the group stage.
Chapman said, “I mean obviously Usman Tariq has a pretty unique action with the way that he stops at the crease, so I mean that’s something to factor in. Pakistan have a number of really good spinners on their side, so each of them poses their own threat.”
He stated that New Zealand are well-prepared for the clash, having faced Pakistan regularly in recent times. “Pakistan’s one of the teams that we’ve played probably the most frequently over the last few years. So we’re well aware of what they’re going to bring. So for us, it’s just about making sure we’re really clear in the way that we want to play as a team,” he added.
Chapman said that New Zealand captain Mitch Santner, who sat out the previous match against Canada due to illness, is set to return. “Santner looks pretty sprightly, so I think he’s pretty excited to get back on the park. Barring any last-minute sickness, I think he’ll be there,” Chapman said.
However, the availability of fast bowler Lockie Ferguson remains uncertain after he returned home for the birth of his first child. “Obviously, Lockie (Ferguson) has left us. I think he’s currently on the way back. So we’ll just see how he pulls up from the flight. I can’t confirm or say whether he’ll be in the 11 or not. I’m not too sure, to be honest,” Chapman added.
T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan ready to face New Zealand today in Colombo
The cricket rival teams, Pakistan and New Zealand, will play in Colombo today as the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 begins.
The match will begin at 6:30pm, according to the Pakistani time standard.
Both sides arrive with three wins from their opening matches. But each also suffered a defeat against a major rival.
New Zealand lost to South Africa in Ahmedabad, while Pakistan was beaten by India in Colombo.
A place in the semi-finals will likely depend on how well teams handle this stage.
After a busy group phase featuring 20 teams, the tournament now moves into a shorter and more decisive round.
