T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final schedule: South Africa to face New Zealand in Kolkata

As Sri Lanka surpassed 147 runs in Pallekele, Kolkata cricket fans celebrated the city's upcoming hosting of the South Africa vs New Zealand semi-final on March 4, 2026.

New Zealand will face South Africa in the 1st semi-final in Kolkata. (Image Credit: ICC)

Kolkata: As Sri Lanka crossed 147 in Pallekele, the cricket fans in Kolkata got happier as the City of Joy will now set to host the South Africa vs New Zealand semi-final match on 4th Februray, 2026, along with hosting the all-important India vs West Indies, Super 8 match, which is now a virtual quarter-final.

Pakistan had to restrict Sri Lanka to below 147

Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand all knew the equation when Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to field first in Pallekele. Pakistan had to put up a big score on the board and then beat Sri Lanka by 65 or more runs to book a spot in the semis.

Pakistan even dropped Babar Azam to better the strike rate of their inning, and Shahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman gave them the platform to hand their bowlers a chance to make it possible.

Farhan (100 off 60) scored his second ton of the tournament as he broke Virat Kohli's record for the most runs in a single T20 World Cup edition. Meanwhile, Zaman added a blistering 84 off 42 balls to take Pakistan's total to 212/8.

Read also: "Fight fire with fire": Ryan ten Doeschate urges India to embrace the pressure at Eden Gardens.

With this equation, Pakistan had the task of restricting the hosts below 147 to qualify for the semis. Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz tried their best, but it was a solid 58 off 37 balls from Pavan Rathnayake and an unbeaten innings (so far) from captain Dasun Shanaka that took Sri Lanka's score over 147, which meant that Eden Gardens will now host the first semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand on 4th March.

Read also: Tilak and Abhishek bat long, Bumrah shines his yorker game: Here's what happened in India's practice ahead of the West Indies clash.

Semi-final fixture

How to watch the India vs West Indies, T20 World Cup 2026 match?

Cricket fans in India can watch the India vs West Indies, T20 World Cup 2026 match on JioHotstar, accessible via OTTplay Premium.

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