Pitch Report
MA Chidambaram Stadium is known for helping spin bowlers, but the short boundaries allow batsmen to score runs easily, often exceeding 150. Pace bowlers find it tough to make an impact on this surface.
NZ vs AFG Probable Best Performers
Key batter to watch: Glenn Phillips
Glenn Phillips has become a key player for New Zealand in T20Is, known for his power and creativity in the middle order. He has amassed 2,105 runs in 79 innings, averaging 31.41 with a strike rate of 141.56. With 11 half-centuries and two centuries, his skill in converting starts into big scores makes him a player to watch.
Key bowler to watch: Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan is a standout bowler in T20 internationals, known for his control and wicket-taking ability. In 111 T20I matches, he has taken 187 wickets, achieving a personal best of 5 for 3. His impressive average of 13.59 and an economy rate of 6.02 make him a persistent threat.
NZ vs AFG Match Prediction ICC T20 World Cup 2026
New Zealand is slightly favoured due to their experience and strong batting lineup, but Afghanistan’s spin attack keeps things interesting. Expect a closely contested match, with New Zealand having a slight advantage unless the pitch heavily favours spin.
NZ vs AFG: Probable XIs
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (C), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry/Kyle Jamieson.
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Darwish Rasooli, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (C), Abdullah Ahmadzai/Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq.
