New Zealand will face off against Afghanistan in the fourth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, taking place at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday morning. Both teams have different recent performances and will be looking to start their World Cup journey on a strong note, as conditions are expected to challenge their skills and composure.
Afghanistan heads into this match with confidence, having secured consecutive warm-up victories against Scotland and the West Indies. Prior to these warm-ups, they also won a T20I series 2-1 against the West Indies, showcasing their developing strength in T20 Cricket. With a balanced team and players adept at handling spin-friendly pitches, they are optimistic about their performance in Chennai.
On the other hand, New Zealand is looking to gain momentum in their opening game. They prepared for the World Cup with a solid victory over the USA, helping them build confidence. However, they are also looking to bounce back from a recent 4-1 defeat in a T20I series against India, which highlighted areas needing improvement.
This encounter in Chennai promises an exciting clash between Afghanistan’s confidence and New Zealand’s desire to recover, making it an essential match in the T20 World Cup 2026.
NZ vs AFG, T20 World Cup 2026: Match details
- Date and Time: February 8; 11:00 am IST / 5:30 am GMT
- Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
NZ vs AFG, Head-to-Head Record in T20Is
Matches played: 02 | New Zealand won: 01 | Afghanistan won: 01 | No result: 0
MA Chidambaram Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at MA Chidambaram Stadium appears to be well-balanced, providing opportunities for both batsmen and bowlers. Known for its black soil, it is expected to favor batting in the first innings, allowing players to play their shots comfortably. Teams batting first may capitalize on the early conditions to set a competitive score.
As the match progresses, the pitch may slow down, giving bowlers—especially spinners—an advantage. Run-scoring could become more difficult in the second half, favoring those who can vary their pace and length effectively. A target of 150 to 165 runs is likely to be considered a par score, setting the stage for a balanced contest.
Squads
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Ishaq, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Abdullah Ahmadzai
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman
NZ vs AFG, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- New Zealand wins the toss and bats first.
- New Zealand’s powerplay score: 30-40 (6 overs).
- New Zealand’s total score: 130-140.
Case 2:
- Afghanistan wins the toss and bats first.
- Afghanistan’s powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs).
- Afghanistan’s total score: 140-150.
Match result: Afghanistan is predicted to win.
