New Zealand middle-order batsman Mark Chapman is relying on familiarity to counter the Pakistan attack as the two sides clash in a Group 2 Super 8 clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Colombo on Saturday.
The two teams are no strangers to each other. Since August 2024, New Zealand and Pakistan have met in 20 bilateral matches across ODIs and T20Is, a frequency Chapman believes has given the Kiwis a detailed understanding of Pakistan’s bowling arsenal, including the challenge posed by enigmatic spinner Usman Tariq.
“Obviously Usman Tariq has quite a unique action with the way he stops at the wicket, so that’s something to take into account. But for us, Pakistan have got some really good players, so each one of them presents their own threat,” Chapman said at Friday’s pre-match press conference in Colombo.
While Tariq’s unusual action demands attention, Chapman made it clear that New Zealand are preparing for a collective spin threat rather than focusing on one individual.
“So Pakistan is one of the teams we’ve played probably the most over the last couple of years. So we’re very aware of what they’re going to bring. It’s just a matter of being really clear about the way we want to play as a team,” he added.
The familiarity factor does not rule out the need for adaptability, especially with conditions in Colombo that will be different from those we encountered earlier in the tournament in India.
Chapman acknowledged that the red soil surfaces in India heavily favored the batsmen and often left the bowlers operating with very little room for error.
“I think what we saw in India was that the pitches especially on the red soil were conducive to batting. So it was quite difficult for the bowlers. The margin was quite small.
“I mean, you’ve seen a lot of games that get close to two hundred on a regular basis. I think the bowlers have definitely struggled a bit. It’s a bit different here with the slower nature of the pitches. Hopefully, the bowlers will get a chance to really showcase their skills,” he said.
The move to Sri Lanka could change the dynamic of the competition, with the slower surfaces expected to aid spin and bring variation to a sharper game. Chapman stressed that reading the pitch correctly will be vital before committing to a set plan.
“I know the rotation is probably going to play a big role here. So yeah, we’ll wait and see how the pitch plays out.”
It also has a logistical advantage for New Zealand. Unlike several teams that frequently travel between venues, the Kiwis will play all three of their Super 8 matches in Colombo, which Chapman sees as a beneficial stability in the tournament environment.
“I think when you’re playing in these tournaments, one of the challenges is jumping from place to place and adapting. I think playing all three games here, we’re going to learn as we go.”
“I think it’s pretty nice for us to be able to go to the same place and the same place, similar pitches and adjust. So I think, yeah, definitely something we’re not complaining about,” he noted.
Chapman also addressed concerns surrounding the fitness of New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, who missed the previous game against Canada due to illness. The presence of a versatile left-arm rider could be especially important on a surface that is likely to aid cornering.
“Mitch Santner, he’s looking pretty fit so I think he’s pretty excited to be back on the park. Unless he gets sick at the last minute I think he’ll be there. Obviously Lockie (Ferguson on parental leave) has left us.
“I think he’s on his way back right now and I think he’ll potentially land soon. So we’ll see how he recovers from the flight,” he said.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
February 20, 2026