Fakhar Zaman Likely to Replace Khawaja Nafay in Pakistan’s Super 8 XI vs New Zealand
Pakistan’s team management is reportedly set to hand Fakhar Zaman his long-awaited chance in the playing XI, replacing young opener Khawaja Nafay ahead of the Super 8 clash against New Zealand at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. This is a massive call that could reshape Pakistan’s approach in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 — a tournament where every game from here on is basically a knockout.
The Super 8 match between Pakistan and New Zealand takes place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM IST in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Both sides finished second in their respective groups and enter this phase looking to build early momentum toward a semifinal spot.
Why Is Fakhar Zaman Coming In?
Khawaja Nafay was handed the opener’s role at the start of the tournament and has been part of a mixed group-stage campaign. While he provided a different dimension to the top order, the management appears to feel that the Super 8 demands a more experienced, aggressive hand at the top.
Fakhar Zaman — Pakistan’s destructive left-handed opener — has been warming the bench since the tournament began. But his track record speaks for itself, and the Colombo pitch, though spin-friendly, can still be attacked hard in the powerplay by someone with Fakhar’s style and experience.
| Player | Role | Recent Form |
|---|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman | LHB Opener | Waiting in squad, big-match proven |
| Khawaja Nafay | RHB Opener | Selected in groups, limited T20I caps |
| Sahibzada Farhan | RHB Opener | Tournament’s leading run-scorer (220 runs) |
| Saim Ayub | LHB All-rounder | Key powerplay option |
The swap is not just about Nafay underperforming — it’s about Pakistan needing a bigger punch at the top against a quality New Zealand attack led by Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson.
Pakistan’s Super 8 Journey So Far
Pakistan qualified for the Super 8 with 3 wins from 4 group-stage matches. Their campaign had its highs and lows:
- Beat Netherlands in a tight opener
- Beat USA comfortably to avenge their 2024 shock loss
- Lost to India by 61 runs — their worst result of the tournament
- Thrashed Namibia by 102 runs, with Sahibzada Farhan hitting a stunning unbeaten century off just 58 balls
Farhan is now the tournament’s top run-scorer with 220 runs in four matches and is the anchor Pakistan absolutely must protect going forward. You can track live standings and Pakistan’s progress on the T20 World Cup 2026 points table.
The Babar Azam Question Remains
The Fakhar inclusion isn’t the only selection headache for Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha. Babar Azam has scored just 66 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 115.78, which is well below what’s needed in modern T20 cricket at this level. Agha himself has publicly stated that no player — regardless of reputation — is guaranteed a spot if they’re not fitting the team’s best combination.
“We will play what is best for the team. Fakhar has performed a lot for Pakistan in the last 10 years.” — Salman Ali Agha
There’s talk that if Babar struggles again versus New Zealand, Fakhar could even be handed a more prominent role going deeper into the tournament.
Pakistan vs New Zealand: Key Matchup Battles
| Matchup | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman vs Matt Henry | Henry’s swing with the new ball vs Fakhar’s aggression |
| Shadab Khan / Usman Tariq vs NZ middle order | Pakistan’s spin weapon on Colombo’s turning pitch |
| Sahibzada Farhan vs Lockie Ferguson | Battle of form vs pace and bounce |
| Mitchell Santner vs PAK batters | NZ captain’s left-arm spin can tie down aggressive batters |
Pakistan holds a clear 5-2 edge over New Zealand in T20 World Cup history — a stat that will give the Green Shirts confidence. However, in the last five T20I head-to-head encounters, New Zealand have had the upper hand, including a 4-1 series win over Pakistan earlier in 2025. Check out the full T20 WC 2026 schedule to see how the Super 8 round unfolds.
Venue & Conditions: Colombo Favours Spin
The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is a black-soil pitch that starts reasonable but slows dramatically as the match progresses. Spinners extract serious grip and turn, making this ground one of the most challenging for batting sides in the second innings. The average first-innings score here is around 144–158 runs.
Weather is also a concern — Colombo is forecasting scattered thunderstorms with 65-91% humidity, meaning rain interruptions and DLS calculations could come into play.
Pakistan’s spin arsenal of Shadab Khan, Usman Tariq, Mohammad Nawaz, and Abrar Ahmed is perfectly suited for these conditions, giving them a significant advantage over a New Zealand side whose pace-heavy attack may struggle to find purchase on a slow surface.
Pakistan’s Probable XI vs New Zealand
Based on the latest team news and the Fakhar Zaman update, Pakistan’s most likely playing eleven looks like this:
- Saim Ayub
- Fakhar Zaman (replaces Khawaja Nafay)
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Salman Ali Agha (c)
- Babar Azam
- Usman Khan (wk)
- Shadab Khan
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Faheem Ashraf
- Usman Tariq / Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Salman Mirza / Abrar Ahmed
Keep an eye on the Pakistan team page for the confirmed XI once it’s announced at toss time.
Super 8 Group 2 — What’s at Stake
Pakistan and New Zealand are joined by England and Sri Lanka in Super 8 Group 2. Only the top two teams from this group advance to the semifinals. Every point matters, and losing the opening Super 8 game would put either side in a very tough spot with two difficult opponents still to come.
For Pakistan, this is a must-not-lose situation. The Fakhar Zaman inclusion — if confirmed — signals that the management is prioritising experience and firepower over youth for these high-pressure knockouts.
FAQs
Q: Why is Fakhar Zaman replacing Khawaja Nafay vs New Zealand? Pakistan’s team management wants more experienced firepower at the top for the Super 8s, and Fakhar’s aggressive left-handed batting suits the high-pressure knockout stage better.
Q: Did Khawaja Nafay play in all group-stage matches? Nafay was part of the playing XI during the group stage. He offered a right-handed balance at the top but hasn’t locked down the spot conclusively.
Q: When is Pakistan vs New Zealand in T20 WC 2026? The match is scheduled for February 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM IST at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Q: What is Fakhar Zaman’s T20 World Cup record vs New Zealand? Fakhar has a strong record against New Zealand in major ICC events and is one of Pakistan’s most reliable performers in high-stakes matches.
Q: Is Babar Azam being dropped for PAK vs NZ? As of now, Babar is expected to play, but his place remains under pressure. If he fails again, Fakhar Zaman could take over a more prominent role.
Q: What are the conditions like at R. Premadasa Stadium? The pitch is slow and spin-friendly, with rain likely. It favours Pakistan’s spin attack and could make batting difficult in the second innings.
For live scores, T20 World Cup 2026 group standings, and all the latest news, stay tuned to t20worldcup2026.com.
