Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Prediction: Mitchell primed to hurt hosts in Colombo

| Tuesday 24th February 2026, 16:03pm

Tuesday 24th February 2026, 16:03pm

New Zealand take on Sri Lanka in Wednesday's Super 8 Group 2 fixture at the T20 World Cup (starts 13:30). Tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka are under pressure following Sunday's 51-run defeat to England in which they were bowled out for just 95.

New Zealand's Super 8 opener against Pakistan was rained off without a ball being bowled but they are favourites to beat the Lankans at Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium. Read on to find out my Sri Lanka vs New Zealand predictions...

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Betting Tips

Daryl Mitchell to be New Zealand top batter @ 9/1
Dasun Shanaka to score over 15.5 runs (1st innings) @ 5/6

*odds correct at time of publication

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

Cricket Odds

Team News

Sri Lanka could recall veteran Kusal Perera, who scored a T20 century against New Zealand in January 2025. Spinning all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury.

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has returned to the T20 World Cup after attending the birth of his child and he should be preferred to Jacob Duffy.

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi is expected to join Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips in the Black Caps' slow-bowling attack.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Odds

Sri Lanka have won only three of their last 15 T20 internationals against New Zealand and they are 11/8 to beat the 4/7 Black Caps.

New Zealand are 8/11 to have the highest opening partnership while Sri Lanka, who posted a first-wicket stand of 121 against the Kiwis in December 2024, are 1/1. The draw is 22/1.

Daryl Mitchell to be New Zealand top batter @ 9/1

Sri Lanka lost their final T20 World Cup Group B match against Zimbabwe before their chastening Super 8-stage defeat to England on Sunday.

The T20 World Cup co-hosts were skittled for 95 in Pallekele and they face a New Zealand side bristling with batting talent.

Openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert made a fast start to the tournament and Glenn Phillips thumped an unbeaten 76 off 36 balls in their final group-stage game against Canada.

But middle-order man Daryl Mitchell looks a big price to top-score against Sri Lanka in Colombo, as he did in the first match of the T20 series in New Zealand in December 2024.

Mitchell held the innings together with 62 off 42 deliveries in Mount Maunganui that day, helping his team seal an eight-run win.

He had a wonderful ODI series in India in January, scoring 84, 131 not out and 137, and also cracked 125 runs from 67 deliveries in the T20 series against the world champions.

Mitchell has been required to bat only twice at this tournament, making 25 not out against Afghanistan and 32 against South Africa, but he could play a vital role in Colombo.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand - Top Away Team Batter

Daryl Mitchell

9/1

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

Dasun Shanaka to score over 15.5 runs (1st innings) @ 5/6

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka provided the only real resistance with the bat against England, scoring 30 in his side's total of 95.

The powerful middle-order man does not need much time to make an impact, as he showed in his knock of 50 off 20 balls in last week's win over Oman.

Shanaka also played an astonishing innings against Pakistan in Dambulla last month, hitting five of the nine deliveries he faced for six, and he can clear a modest runs line in this high-pressure fixture.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand - 1st Innings Dasun Shanaka Total Runs Over/Under +15.5

Over 15.5

5/6

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

Check out our latest Cricket Betting Tips