T20 World Cup 2026: Mark Chapman expresses readiness ahead of Pakistan clash

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New Zealand is all set to lock horns with Pakistan in the Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026. The match is scheduled to be played on February 21 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.

Ahead of the clash, New Zealand middle-order batsman Mark Chapman said that, along with Usman Tariq, each of Pakistan’s spinners poses a different threat.

“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. But for us, Pakistan have a number of really good spinners, so each of them poses their own threat,” he said.

He then expressed his team`s readiness by saying that they have played a decent number of games against the “Green Shirts” in the past few years.

“So, Pakistan is 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. It`s just about making sure we`re really clear in the way that we want to play as a team,” said Chapman.

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner missed out on the previous clash against Canada due to sickness. Speaking on his health, the 31-year-old cricketer said that the skipper would likely make his appearance against Pakistan.

“Mitch Santner, he looks pretty sprightly, so I think he`s pretty excited to get back to the park. Barring any last minute sickness, I think he`ll be there. Obviously, Lockie (Ferguson on parental leave) has left us. I think he`s currently on the way back, and I think he`s landing potentially soon. So we`ll just see how he pulls up from the flight,” he said.

Having qualified for the “Super 8” stage of the ongoing global showpiece, the “Black Caps” have been placed in Group 2 along with teams England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

After concluding with the Pakistan clash, they will face Sri Lanka on February 25 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. The clash against England is scheduled to be played on February 27 at the same venue.

New Zealand`s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026

James Neesham, Devon Conway (WK), Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Mitchell Santner (C), Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Seifert (WK), Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears.

(With PTI Inputs)

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