COLOMBO, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - New Zealand can adapt quickly to switching 
to Sri Lankan pitches in the T20 World Cup after playing all their matches so 
far in India, said batsman Mark Chapman on Friday.

New Zealand open their Super Eight campaign against Pakistan in Colombo on 
Saturday, ahead of matches against Sri Lanka and England at the same venue.

Pace, bounce and spin in Colombo will be markedly different to Chennai and 
Ahmedabad, where New Zealand played their group matches, but Chapman said the 
players knew all about the variation in pitch conditions.

"I think guys understand what they need to do on slower wickets after playing 
in India where pitches were batting friendly," said the middle-order batsman.

"So, we're pretty confident that we'll face up to whatever conditions are in 
front of us. A lot of the guys have played a lot of cricket here before."

Pakistan have played all their four matches in Sri Lanka and have a potent 
spin attack.

Chapman was confident New Zealand can handle Pakistan's spinners, including 
the unorthodox Usman Tariq, who pauses in his delivery stride and bowls with 
deceptive variation, including side-arm.

"Obviously, Tariq has a pretty unique action with the way that he stops at 
the crease and that's something to factor in," said Chapman.

"But each of the Pakistan spinners poses their own threat."

Pakistan have beaten New Zealand in five of their seven previous T20 World 
Cup encounters.

Captain Mitchell Santner is set to return after missing the game against 
Canada with a stomach upset.

"He's pretty excited to get back to the park," said Chapman.

"And, you know, barring any last-minute sickness, I think he'll be there."

Pace bowler Lockie Ferguson will only land back in Sri Lanka on Friday night 
after returning home for the birth of his first child.

Ferguson missed the win against Canada on Tuesday and is not certain to play 
against Pakistan after his long-round trip.