Pakistan target T20 World Cup title ahead of New Zealand Super 8s opener
New Zealand and Pakistan play the first game of the Super Eights stage at the T20 World Cup with both eyeing title tilt.
![Pakistan's captain Salman Ali Agha, left, celebrates with Usman Khan after winning T20 World Cup cricket match against Namibia [Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AP26049472881128-1771521530.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
New Zealand and Pakistan play the first game of the Super Eights stage at the T20 World Cup with both eyeing title tilt.
![Pakistan's captain Salman Ali Agha, left, celebrates with Usman Khan after winning T20 World Cup cricket match against Namibia [Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AP26049472881128-1771521530.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)








As the match approaches, Pakistani fans hope and pray for their team’s unlikely win.
Pakistan on Monday reversed their decision to boycott their T20 World Cup match against India, but rain could intervene.
Both teams say they are set for Sunday’s showdown despite the late decision for India’s match with Pakistan to proceed.
Tarique Rahman’s decisive victory may redraw regional alignments after years of pro-India policy under ousted PM Hasina.
The cricket world and beyond will be watching as one of sport’s greatest rivalry goes ahead despite political turmoil.
Despite soaring travel costs and ticketing challenges, desperate Indian fans travel to Colombo for the match on Sunday.
From handshake row to match boycott – a look at the post-conflict controversial incidents in cricket’s biggest rivalry.
Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya score half centuries for T20 World Cup holders India in 93-run win against Namibia.
India vs Pakistan will finally go ahead at the T20 World Cup. Samantha Johnson looks at the U-turn.