Colombo
R.Premadasa Stadium
173
31
37
New Zealand
NZ
168/7 (20.0)
Sri Lanka chose to BOWL
Sri Lanka
SL
107/8 (20.0)
New Zealand won by 61 runs
NZ vs SL Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Winning Team, Playing XI & Pitch Report

Published on Feb 22, 2026

NZ vs SL Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Winning Team, Playing XI & Pitch Report

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup action heads to Colombo as Sri Lanka hosts New Zealand in a crucial T20 encounter. While the hosts have the advantage of familiar conditions at the R.Premadasa Stadium, they are missing key stars like Wanindu Hasaranga. Meanwhile, New Zealand enters this contest in red hot form, having won four of their last five games. With fantasy assets like Glenn Phillips and Pathum Nissanka in top gear, this match promises high rewards for smart fantasy managers.

Match Details

  • Match: NZ vs SL
  • Date: 25 Feb 2026
  • Time: 19:00 IST (07:00 PM)
  • Venue: R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Live Streaming & Broadcast Details

Fans can watch the action live on Star Sports Network and stream it on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website.

To know where you can watch live streaming in your country, visit this complete guide: ICC Men’s World Cup 2026 Live Streaming Channels – Country wise Guide

Weather Report

Colombo is expected to be warm and humid during match hours. The temperature will hover around 27°C with high humidity levels. The Dew factor is expected to play a significant role in the second innings, making chasing slightly easier. There is no significant rain threat, so we should get a full game.

Pitch Report & Venue Stats

The surface at R.Premadasa Stadium is historically known to assist spinners. The data from the last 5 matches confirms this trend, with Spinners taking 37 wickets compared to Pacers taking 31 wickets. The Average Score is just 156, suggesting a battle between bat and ball rather than a high scoring highway.

Fantasy Takeaway: Load your fantasy contests with quality spinners and technical batters who can rotate the strike. Avoid stacking too many top order hitters who struggle against turning balls.

Team Form & Head to-Head

New Zealand (NZ)

  • Last 5 Matches: W L W W W
  • Form: The Kiwis are in excellent touch, recently defeating Canada and UAE comfortably. Their batting unit, led by Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips, has been consistent.
  • H2H: New Zealand dominates the head to-head record with 23 wins historically.

Sri Lanka (SL)

  • Last 5 Matches: L L W W W
  • Form: The hosts have stumbled recently, losing back to-back games against England and Zimbabwe. However, they are dangerous at home.
  • H2H: Sri Lanka has secured 9 wins against the Black Caps.

Injury Updates & Player Availability

  • New Zealand: All rounder Michael Bracewell is marked as Unavailable for this fixture.
  • Sri Lanka: The hosts have suffered a massive blow with star all rounder Wanindu Hasaranga and pacer Matheesha Pathirana being Unavailable. Eshan Malinga is also out.

Probable Playing XI

New Zealand

Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy

Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka

Key Players to Watch

  • Glenn Phillips: He is the backbone of the Kiwi middle order. With 119 runs in the series and a massive average of 86.5 fantasy points, he is a must have.
  • Pathum Nissanka: The most consistent batter for the hosts, scoring 208 runs in the series. He plays spin well, which is crucial at R.Premadasa Stadium.
  • Dunith Wellalage: In the absence of Hasaranga, Wellalage has stepped up with 7 wickets in the series. His left arm spin is lethal on this track.
  • Maheesh Theekshana: With 8 wickets in the series, he is the leading wicket taker for his side. He will bowl the tough overs in the powerplay and death.
  • Tim Seifert: If he plays, he is a high value pick, having scored 173 runs recently with a high strike rate.
Download Ai11 Sports App

Fantasy Picks

Small League Safe Picks

  • Glenn Phillips
  • Pathum Nissanka
  • Maheesh Theekshana

Mega League Differential Picks

  • Dunith Wellalage: High ownership is expected, but he is a great Captaincy option given the pitch conditions.
  • Rachin Ravindra: He contributes with both bat and ball. With the pitch aiding turn, his left arm spin could yield bonus points.

Match Prediction / Outlook

While Sri Lanka has the home advantage, the absence of their premier bowler Wanindu Hasaranga weakens them significantly. New Zealand has a more balanced squad and better recent form. Expect New Zealand to win this contest, though the spinners will make it a close fight.

Disclaimer

This analysis is based on statistics and current form. Always check the Final Playing XI and Toss updates before locking your fantasy team.

ICC Men's T20 World Cup NZ vs SL players T20 past performance, current series performance, projected points and selection percentage.

PlayerBattingBowlingSeries PerformanceLineup selectionMatch Performance
Name
T
R
S
M#BatInnNORunsHSAvgSR50+4/6BowlInnWkOvAvgEcoSR4wBestC/St
M
A. Pt
Pts
Run
Wk
DT
P
S%
C
VC
iDt
#
PTS
Bat
Bowl
Field
Daryl MitchellNZBAT273RHB2435358238830.64136.7528620RM106862.225.819.516.324/32144434.213757050634.92.832.9113233016
Mitchell SantnerNZALL265LHB1937428109223.61133.177342SLA2562613.524.817.1920.634/1198334.310321133.3762.533.85.61214085470
Rachin RavindraNZBAT133LHB1201321787020.35139.348281SLA82792.720.827.3716.934/1155453.821572250359.197.966.591209521418
Maheesh TheekshanaSLBOWL228RHB8437274155.8269.89023OB2272343.826.157.0922.144/1549572.4362108801067.172.163.97312611138
Dushmantha ChameeraSLBOWL172RHB6630238246.6186.23024RF1701923.625.918.1818.965/2438464.52586650939.991.081.67412471130
Dilshan MadushankaSLBOWL59RHB17829123.2250.8702LFM58563.230.949.220.103/1211249.59902501117.810.670.89205010
Lockie FergusonNZBOWL206RHB60332983011.03111.61031RF2022413.522.77.7917.495/21543571710466.71153.541.62.86188040
Glenn PhillipsNZALL286RHB26439728111632.36141.3252931OB67321.833.48.7522.903/6168486.5346119175483.5513.7412.1577722438
Matt HenryNZBOWL186RHB88376384412.5147.34076RFM1792243.522.898.2716.655/1872448.21939450955.11.372.551000960
Charith AsalankaSLBAT153LHB1481730158023.01127.815363OB52302.127.337.6321.414/1440000000326.913.22.9812319108
Finn AllenNZWK182RHB1798525915130.75176.473980910180-84467.8271137075158.269.227.2810594708
Mark ChapmanNZBAT227LHB19530431710426.16136.1825536SLA39222.129.637.9622.303/228944016076050525.71.621.83212-200
Kamindu MendisSLALL125LHB1081524429926.25130.7214290OB,SLA69302.341.868.083103/2146554.227183260543.261.733.079654908
Kusal MendisSLWK209RHB20414578910930.46137.0842758LB100.20-119576.8384186060274.226.617.8415151100
Pathum NissankaSLBAT167RHB1626461311929.57132.0636610000-55581.2406208040174.2615.699.96222-200
Ish SodhiNZBOWL312RHB10241523518.57108.95156LB3003323.524.937.9418.886/11720000001029.990.921.68178040
Dasun ShanakaSLALL283RHB25761506413125.83143.1322659RM1591112.126.068.8217.714/16105554.627386140651.512.23.8197300
Dunith WellalageSLBOWL85LHB55157234518.07105.54086SLA78833.422.537.1518.924/1033578.8394417100767.714.676.21610043490
Tim SeifertNZWK316RHB29136741212529.06136.6431017000-228489.8359173050271.9814.129.35114012024
Dushan HemanthaSLALL82RHB66148955917.21120.94291LB64823.216.676.615.146/2338464.22575650836.321.342.351416318
Cole McConchieNZALL143RHB1141920118421.16123.99222OB120882.728.97.7122.414/3156122000814.120.871.1887557100
Pavan RathnayakeSLBAT32RHB2442454212.25101.23022OB,LB000-14556.6283137060441.462.112.731610600
Completed matches of New Zealand
Teams
Date
Venue
Bat First
Bat Second
Inning 1
Inning 2
Winner
08 Feb - 11:00 AMChennaiAfghanistanAFGNew ZealandNZ182/6 (20.0)183/5 (17.5) New Zealand won by 5 wickets (with 13 balls remaining)
10 Feb - 03:00 PMChennaiUnited Arab EmiratesUAENew ZealandNZ173/6 (20.0)175/0 (15.2) New Zealand won by 10 wickets (with 28 balls remaining)
14 Feb - 07:00 PMAhmedabadNew ZealandNZSouth AfricaSA175/7 (20.0)178/3 (17.1) South Africa won by 7 wickets (with 17 balls remaining)
17 Feb - 11:00 AMChennaiCanadaCANNew ZealandNZ173/4 (20.0)176/2 (15.1) New Zealand won by 8 wickets (with 29 balls remaining)
25 Feb - 07:00 PMColomboNew ZealandNZSri LankaSL168/7 (20.0)107/8 (20.0) New Zealand won by 61 runs
27 Feb - 07:00 PMColomboNew ZealandNZEnglandENG159/7 (20.0)161/6 (19.3) England won by 4 wickets (with 3 balls remaining)
04 Mar - 07:00 PMKolkataSouth AfricaSANew ZealandNZ169/8 (20.0)173/1 (12.5) New Zealand won by 9 wickets (with 43 balls remaining)
08 Mar - 07:00 PMAhmedabadIndiaINDNew ZealandNZ255/5 (20.0)159/10 (19.0) India won by 96 runs
Completed matches of Sri Lanka
Teams
Date
Venue
Bat First
Bat Second
Inning 1
Inning 2
Winner
08 Feb - 07:00 PMColomboSri LankaSLIrelandIRE163/6 (20.0)143/10 (19.5) Sri Lanka won by 20 runs
12 Feb - 11:00 AMKandySri LankaSLOmanOMN225/5 (20.0)120/9 (20.0) Sri Lanka won by 105 runs
16 Feb - 07:00 PMKandyAustraliaAUSSri LankaSL181/10 (20.0)184/2 (18.0) Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets (with 12 balls remaining)
19 Feb - 03:00 PMColomboSri LankaSLZimbabweZIM178/7 (20.0)182/4 (19.3) Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets (with 3 balls remaining)
22 Feb - 03:00 PMKandyEnglandENGSri LankaSL146/9 (20.0)95/10 (16.4) England won by 51 runs
25 Feb - 07:00 PMColomboNew ZealandNZSri LankaSL168/7 (20.0)107/8 (20.0) New Zealand won by 61 runs
28 Feb - 07:00 PMKandyPakistanPAKSri LankaSL212/8 (20.0)207/6 (20.0) Pakistan won by 5 runs
Completed matches at R.Premadasa Stadium
Teams
Date
Bat First
Bat Second
Inning 1
Inning 2
Winner
08 Feb - 07:00 PMSri LankaSLIrelandIRE163/6 (20.0)143/10 (19.5) Sri Lanka won by 20 runs
11 Feb - 03:00 PMAustraliaAUSIrelandIRE182/6 (20.0)115/9 (16.5) Australia won by 67 runs
13 Feb - 11:00 AMZimbabweZIMAustraliaAUS169/2 (20.0)146/10 (19.3) Zimbabwe won by 23 runs
15 Feb - 07:00 PMIndiaINDPakistanPAK175/7 (20.0)114/10 (18.0) India won by 61 runs
19 Feb - 03:00 PMSri LankaSLZimbabweZIM178/7 (20.0)182/4 (19.3) Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets (with 3 balls remaining)
25 Feb - 07:00 PMNew ZealandNZSri LankaSL168/7 (20.0)107/8 (20.0) New Zealand won by 61 runs
27 Feb - 07:00 PMNew ZealandNZEnglandENG159/7 (20.0)161/6 (19.3) England won by 4 wickets (with 3 balls remaining)
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

Download AI11 App