New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 promises an exciting clash in Group D of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The Black Caps, led by Mitchell Santner, aim to seal their Super Eights spot after a setback against South Africa. Canada, the plucky underdogs, seek their first win and a historic upset in their maiden T20I meeting with New Zealand.
This David vs Goliath battle unfolds tomorrow, February 17, 2026, at the historic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. With South Africa already qualified, a New Zealand win knocks Canada out while confirming the Black Caps’ progression. Fans from both sides can expect fireworks on a batsman-friendly Chepauk pitch.
Match Details
The 31st match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 features high stakes in Group D.
- Series: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Group D
- Match Number: 31st Match
- Teams: New Zealand vs Canada
- Date: February 17, 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM IST (Local) / 5:30 AM GMT
- Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, India
- Umpires: Jayaraman Madanagopal, Sharfuddoula
- Third Umpire: Nitin Menon
- Referee: Andy Pycroft
Toss at 10:30 AM IST. In day games here, captains often bat first due to early moisture and no dew.
Venue Guide: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Known as Chepauk, this iconic ground dates back to 1916. It hosts Tamil Nadu and IPL giants Chennai Super Kings, with a capacity of around 50,000 (updated figures show ~38,000-50,000 depending on configurations). The passionate Chennai crowd creates an electric atmosphere, especially for international clashes.
Ends: Anna Pavilion End and V Pattabhiraman Gate End. Accessibility via Chennai metro and buses is convenient, though parking is limited—arrive early. The venue’s rich history includes legendary Tests and IPL thrillers, now adding T20 World Cup flavor in 2026.
Venue Stats and Records
Chepauk has hosted limited T20Is historically but shines in domestic T20s like IPL. In the 2026 T20 World Cup so far, it delivered high-scoring affairs with chases succeeding often.
T20 World Cup 2026 at Chepauk (as of mid-Feb 2026)
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 4-5 (approx.) |
| Wins Batting First | 1 |
| Wins Batting Second | 3-4 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | ~162-170 |
| Highest Chase | 183/5 (NZ vs AFG) |
| Spinners Wickets | High (econ ~7.68) |
| Pacers Wickets | Comparable (econ ~7.87) |
Overall T20I Records at Chepauk
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 3+ (pre-2026 limited) |
| Wins Batting First | 1 |
| Wins Batting Second | 2 |
| Highest Team Total | 182/4 (IND vs WI) |
| Lowest Team Total | 103 (WI vs IND) |
| Highest Individual Score | 92 (Shikhar Dhawan) |
| Best Bowling | 4/23 (Kuldeep Yadav) |
IPL/Domestic T20 Insights
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Matches (IPL focus) | 91+ |
| Wins Batting First | 56% |
| Average 1st Innings | 163 |
| Highest Total | 246/5 (CSK) |
| Highest Chase | 201/6 |
New Zealand thrived here earlier, chasing 183 vs Afghanistan comfortably and demolishing UAE by 10 wickets.
Pitch Report and Conditions Analysis
The Chepauk pitch in 2026 T20 World Cup has surprised with batsman-friendly traits—good carry early, true bounce, and scores of 160-180 common. Day games bring morning moisture for seamers, but it flattens out. Spinners grip later, but not excessively turn-heavy yet.
No dew in 11 AM starts favors batting first slightly (56% IPL wins). Expect 170-190 as par if batting first; chases viable with strong top order. Rising mid-February heat (31°C+) tests fitness—New Zealand’s experience helps.
Weather Forecast
Sunny, no rain threat. High 31°C (87°F), low 21°C (70°F), humidity ~67%, light winds. Morning moisture possible; heat rises by afternoon, impacting stamina.
Live Streaming and Broadcasting Guide
Catch every ball live.
In India
- TV: Star Sports Network (English, Hindi, Tamil, etc.)
- Streaming: JioHotstar (subscription ~INR 299/month)
Global Options
- USA/Canada: Willow TV (Sling/Fubo)
- UK: Sky Sports
- Australia: Fox Sports/Kayo
- Caribbean: ESPN
- Free: ICC.tv in select regions (check icc-cricket.com)
Use VPN for geo-restricted free streams if needed.
Ticket Buying Guide
Secure tickets via official channels to avoid fakes. Prices: INR 500+ general to premium 10,000+. Book on BookMyShow (exclusive India partner) or icc-cricket.com/tickets. Hospitality via globalsports.com.au. Book early—Chennai games sell fast. Check discounts for students/seniors.
Squad Analysis and Probable Playing XI
New Zealand
Strengths: Explosive openers, all-round depth, balanced attack. Weakness: Middle-order wobbles under pressure. Lockie Ferguson misses for personal reasons (child birth); Kyle Jamieson debuts in WC.
Probable XI
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy.
Canada
Strengths: Aggressive top-order, tight spinners. Weakness: Collapses vs quality bowling.
Probable XI
Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Yuvraj Samra, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (wk), Harsh Thaker, Saad Bin Zafar, Jaskaran Singh, Dilon Heyliger, Kaleem Sana, Ansh Patel.
No major changes expected.
Players to Watch
New Zealand
- Tim Seifert: 270 runs in recent 7 T20s, SR 173. Explosive keeper-batter.
- Finn Allen: Power-hitter with 116 sixes since 2025.
- Glenn Phillips: 219 runs, SR 153; fresh from injury break.
- Kyle Jamieson: High-arm pace, hard lengths to trouble Canada.
Canada
- Yuvraj Samra: SR 191+ in T20Is, highest for Canada (min 250 balls).
- Harsh Thaker: 244 runs, SR 139.
- Saad Bin Zafar: Econ 6.02 in 67 T20Is; attacks stumps.
- Kaleem Sana: 12 wkts recent, econ 5.51.
Spotlight: Jamieson vs Canada openers; Zafar vs NZ middle-order.
Stats and Trivia
- Finn Allen & Tim Seifert: 116 & 96 sixes since 2025 (top among many).
- Mark Chapman: Played vs Canada in 2013 for Hong Kong.
- NZ vs Canada: 3 ODIs (all WC), NZ won all (last 2011 by 97 runs).
- First T20I meeting.
Recent Form (Last 5 T20Is)
| Team | Form | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | LWWLW | Loss to SA; wins over UAE (10 wkts), AFG (5 wkts) |
| Canada | LLWWW | Losses to UAE/SA; qualifier wins |
Group D Points Table (as of preview)
| # | Team | M | W | L | PTS | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | South Africa | – | 3 | 0 | 6 | – |
| 2 | New Zealand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | +0.701 |
| – | UAE | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1.03 |
| 5 | Canada | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -1.526 |
For more stats ESPNcricinfo.
Head-to-Head Records
No prior T20Is. In ODIs (all World Cups): New Zealand 3-0. Poised for 4-0 in WC clashes.
Winning Prediction
New Zealand are overwhelming favorites—superior experience, form, and venue comfort give them 90%+ chance. Expect them to post 170+ or chase easily. Canada need perfect batting, but collapses likely against NZ pace/spin.
Prediction: New Zealand win by 50+ runs or 7+ wickets. Key: NZ openers dominate; spinners control middle. Watch for Canada fightback, but Black Caps march to Super Eights.
This New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 encounter is must-watch cricket—power vs passion at Chepauk. Tune in live and enjoy the action!
FAQs: New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026
FAQ 1: When and where is the New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 match? The NZ vs CAN 31st Match in Group D of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 takes place on February 17, 2026, at 11:00 AM IST (5:30 AM GMT) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India. This day game is crucial for New Zealand’s Super Eight qualification.
FAQ 2: What is the pitch report for MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai in the T20 World Cup 2026? The Chepauk pitch in the 2026 tournament has been batsman-friendly with good carry and bounce early on, especially in day games. Expect scores around 160-180, with some early seam movement but limited turn. No dew factor applies due to the 11 AM start, slightly favoring teams batting first.
FAQ 3: Who will win New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 match prediction? New Zealand are heavy favorites (90%+ chance) in the NZ vs CAN prediction for the 31st Match. New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 Their experience, explosive openers like Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, and venue familiarity at Chepauk should lead to a comfortable win by 50+ runs or 7+ wickets. Canada could fight but an upset is unlikely.
FAQ 4: What are the probable playing XIs for NZ vs CAN 31st Match preview? New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 New Zealand probable XI: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy. Canada probable XI: Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Yuvraj Samra, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (wk), Harsh Thaker, Saad Bin Zafar, Jaskaran Singh, Dilon Heyliger, Kaleem Sana, Ansh Patel.
FAQ 5: How can I watch New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 live in India and globally? New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 In India, watch on Star Sports Network (TV) and stream on JioHotstar. Globally: Willow TV (USA/Canada), Sky Sports (UK), Fox Sports/Kayo (Australia), ESPN (Caribbean), and free on ICC.tv in select regions. Use a VPN for geo-restricted access.
FAQ 6: What is the head-to-head record between New Zealand and Canada? There are no prior T20Is between the teams—this is their first meeting. In ODIs (all World Cups), New Zealand lead 3-0, including a 97-run win in 2011. New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 NZ aim to make it 4-0 in World Cup clashes overall.
FAQ 7: What are the key players to watch in NZ vs CAN T20 World Cup 2026? For New Zealand: Tim Seifert (high SR), Finn Allen (power-hitting), Kyle Jamieson (replacing Ferguson), and Glenn Phillips. For Canada: Yuvraj Samra (SR 191+), Harsh Thaker, Saad Bin Zafar (tight spin), and Kaleem Sana. New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 Spotlight on Jamieson vs Canada openers and Zafar vs NZ middle order.
FAQ 8: What are the Group D standings before the NZ vs CAN 31st Match? South Africa have qualified with three wins. New Zealand sit on 4 points (NRR +0.701) after 3 games (2 wins, 1 loss). Canada have 0 points (NRR -1.526) from 2 losses. New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 A NZ win secures their Super Eight spot and eliminates Canada.
FAQ 9: Is there any chance of an upset by Canada against New Zealand in T20 World Cup 2026? Canada have shown resilience (close losses to SA and UAE), but their batting collapses against quality attacks make an upset unlikely against NZ’s balanced side. New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 NZ’s form at Chepauk and superior depth tilt the scales heavily in their favor.
FAQ 10: How to buy tickets for New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 Chennai match? Tickets are available on official platforms like BookMyShow (India exclusive partner) and icc-cricket.com/tickets. Prices start from INR 500 for general stands. New Zealand vs Canada T20 World Cup 2026 Book early due to high demand for Chennai games; check for hospitality packages and discounts.