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NZ vs CAN: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Prediction, Squads, Live Score & Stats
- Fixture: New Zealand vs Canada
- Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Group D
- Match: 31st Match, Group D
- Date & Time: 17 February 2026, 11:00 AM IST
- Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, India
Match Preview
New Zealand and Canada will clash in Group D of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to be held in Chennai. New Zealand have been in strong form in the tournament, having won two of their three matches, including a comprehensive win over the UAE and a tough chase against Afghanistan. However, their Super Eight hopes are under pressure after a seven-wicket defeat to South Africa.
Canada’s campaign has been challenging, with losses in both their opening group matches against South Africa and the UAE. They are still looking for their first win in the tournament. Adaptation to sub-continental conditions has been a factor, although their spinners have shown promising performances at various times.
New Zealand will go into this match with a clear objective. A win would significantly enhance their chances of progressing to the Super Eights. Canada will look to build on the momentum and achieve the kind of success that will make their World Cup campaign meaningful and memorable.
NZ vs CAN – Head to Head (T20Is)
| Format | Matches | NZ Won | CAN Won | Tied | NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Note: Prior to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match, New Zealand and Canada have not played a T20 international match against each other.
NZ vs CAN – Squad List
| No. | Canada Player | Role | New Zealand Player | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dilpreet Bajwa (c) | Allrounder | Mitchell Santner (c) | Bowling allrounder |
| 2 | Navneet Dhaliwal | Middle-order batter | Finn Allen | Top-order batter |
| 3 | Dilon Heyliger | Bowler | Mark Chapman | Allrounder |
| 4 | Ajayveer Hundal | Allrounder | Devon Conway | Wicketkeeper batter |
| 5 | Jaskaran Singh | Bowler | Jacob Duffy | Bowler |
| 6 | Kaleem Sana | Bowler | Matt Henry | Bowler |
| 7 | Nicholas Kirton | Batting allrounder | Kyle Jamieson | Bowler |
| 8 | Shreyas Movva | Wicketkeeper batter | Daryl Mitchell | Batting allrounder |
| 9 | Ansh Patel | Bowler | James Neesham | Batting allrounder |
| 10 | Ravinderpal Singh | Batter | Glenn Phillips | Allrounder |
| 11 | Saad Bin Zafar | Allrounder | Rachin Ravindra | Batting allrounder |
| 12 | Yuvraj Samra | Opening batter | Tim Seifert | Wicketkeeper batter |
| 13 | Shivam Sharma | Allrounder | Ish Sodhi | Bowler |
| 14 | Kanwarpal Tathgur | Wicketkeeper batter | – | – |
| 15 | Harsh Thaker | Allrounder | – | – |
Pitch Report – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Stadium | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Pitch Nature | Batting-friendly surface in T20s |
| Batting Support | Batsmen can score freely once set |
| New Ball Behaviour | Seamers can extract bounce early |
| Spin Factor | Spinners influential in middle overs |
| Match Pattern | High totals common due to shorter boundaries |
| Average T20 Score Range | Around 170–190+ |
| Toss Strategy | Toss winners may prefer batting first |
| Safe / Defending Score | 175+ generally competitive |
Team Analysis
New Zealand
New Zealand have a strong top order with powerful hitters who can score big quickly on any surface. Their balanced bowling attack has a variety of spin and pace that works in different conditions. They have good experience of dealing with pressure situations in major ICC events.
Their concern is that the defeat against South Africa highlighted real weaknesses under pressure when the top order batsmen collectively fail. Lockie Ferguson is absent as he has been granted parental leave for this particular match which weakens their pace attack.
Key players to watch are Tim Seifert who is a leading run scorer and an aggressive opener who sets the tempo for New Zealand. Finn Allen is an explosive top order bat who can destroy the powerplay. Mitchell Santner provides spin and all-round influence at all stages. Daryl Mitchell brings stability to the middle order when the top order is under pressure.
Canada
Canada has emerging talents like Dilpreet Bajwa and Yuvraj Samra who have big hitting potential who can score quickly in the right conditions. Their spinners have shown real fight and ability in subcontinental conditions throughout the tournament. They have qualified for the regional finals and are confident of achieving that.
Their concern will be to struggle to maintain the pace for the full twenty overs against a quality opposition. The experience gap against an elite international team like New Zealand is significant and will be tested during this match.
Key players include Dilpreet Bajwa as captain and an aggressive top order batsman on whom Canada relies a lot. Navneet Dhaliwal contributes runs in the middle order during crucial phases. Kaleem Sana leads the bowling effort with the aim of limiting New Zealand’s potent batting lineup.
Toss Prediction
On a normal T20 surface, the captain who wins the toss is tempted to bat first, trust his stroke makers and build a total on the board. Here, scoreboard pressure has its own personality, especially against unfamiliar chasers.
Cricbites Match Prediction
| Team | Winning Chance (%) | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 75% | Strong head-to-head record, deeper batting lineup |
| Canada | 25% | Fight from emerging players but underdog tag |
Cricbites Prediction: New Zealand will win due to historical dominance and strong team depth, while Canada will remain the underdog fighting for success.
Final Thoughts
Group D will see an interesting subplot between New Zealand and Canada. The Kiwis will take to the field calmly and confidently, as the team understands the rhythm of the tournament. They build the game patiently, come into the game smartly and trust their bowlers at the last minute. Canada has the energy of opportunity. They have very little strength and a lot of intention. Expect agile batting in the powerplay, thoughtful spin in the middle and clever variation when the overs are over.
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Disclaimer
This preview and prediction is based on verified match details and recent team performances and pitch expectations and historical results. Cricket results may vary depending on toss decisions, weather conditions and individual performances on match day.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who is the captain of New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?
Mitchell Santner is the captain of New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Q2. Who is the captain of Canada in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?
Dilpreet Bajwa is the captain of Canada in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Q3. When and at what time will the New Zealand vs Canada match be played?
New Zealand will face Canada on 17 February 2026. The match is scheduled to start at 11:00 AM IST.
Q4. Where is the match being played?
The England vs CAN T20 World Cup 2026 match will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India.
Q5. What is the match number of NZ vs CAN in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?
This match is the 31st match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in the Group D stage.
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