Pakistan’s spin quartet, anchored by Usman Tariq, will try to exploit Colombo’s slow, spin‑friendly pitch, while New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell must adapt to the threat. Weather reports hint at light rain, but no games have been affected yet.
Both sides have played each other frequently in T20Is, with New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner expected to return after missing the last game. Pakistan are unlikely to change their XI after a solid outing against Namibia, keeping their spinners and left‑arm Salman Mirza on the field.