Traditionally a pace powerhouse, Pakistan’s pivoting has not even been subtle. It handed out 18 overs to its spinners against arch-rival India, with pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi restricted to just two overs. He was eventually benched in the final group game against Namibia. Usman Tariq, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed have combined for nearly two-thirds of Pakistan’s overs in the tournament and claimed 22 of the 33 wickets.
However, that game against India, Pakistan’s only match at this venue so far, also exposed the chinks in its attack. It needed Tariq’s variation-roulette to rein in India in the latter half after Abrar and Shadab were plundered for 55 in their four overs.
Southpaw Ishan Kishan had exploited his onside in that game, scoring 23 off just nine balls against them, and Mark Chapman would take a leaf out of that book to assert himself against the leg-break variety in Pakistan’s arsenal. Rachin Ravindra, another left-handed batter, only adds to Pakistan’s conundrum after he hit his stride in the last game against Canada.
Against Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, who have struck spin at strike rates of 170 and 197, respectively, pinning all hopes on its tweakers might fire back at Pakistan.
Selection dilemma
Additionally, the quicks have not been entirely listless at this venue. In the five games here in this World Cup, pacers average 18 as against the spinners’ 25, dangling a carrot at Pakistan to play Shaheen and Salman Mirza together. With rain expected before the match on Saturday, it might be a serious possibility for Pakistan to consider.
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Further weighing on Pakistan might be the urge to dispel the ‘mercurial’ tag that inevitably comes along with the high-stakes contests of an ICC event.
For starters, a little support for Sahibzada Farhan might release some pressure. The opener became just the second centurion for Pakistan at T20 World Cups, and has 220 runs from four games. The next-best haul belongs to Shadab Khan, who has 88 runs. The other three in the top order – Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha and Babar Azam – combine for 184 only.
Adjustment the key for Kiwis
New Zealand, arriving on these shores after flourishing on batter-friendly surfaces in Chennai and Ahmedabad, would be aware to not fall into this muddle.
Finn Allen and Tim Seifert have been the cornerstones in New Zealand pumping its scoring rate to 9.73 runs in the PowerPlay, but emulating it in Sri Lanka is more than a long shot. On a slightly slower surface, they will hope to leave a platform for its middle order to consolidate upon.
Mitchell Santner’s return at the helm after a bout of illness, will only make a well-rounded performance more likely. And going by the demands of the venue, leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, yet to make an appearance in this tournament, might join his captain in making a comeback.
Published on Feb 20, 2026
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