The match kicks off at the spin‑friendly Premadasa Stadium, where Pakistan’s depth in spin, led by Usman Tariq, gives them an edge. New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner is expected to return, bringing a bowling style suited to Sri Lankan conditions.
New Zealand’s middle‑order batsmen—Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell—will need to counter Tariq’s unique action, while the Kiwis rely on familiarity with Pakistan from recent series. Pakistan, after a solid outing against Namibia, is unlikely to change its XI, keeping key spinners like Saim Ayub, Mohammed Nawaz and Shadab Khan in the attack.