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NZ vs SA: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Prediction, Squads, Live Score & Stats
- Fixture: New Zealand vs South Africa
- Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Group D
- Match: 24th Match, Group D
- Date & Time: 14 February 2026, 7:00 PM IST
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India
Match Preview
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will begin with a crucial Group D clash between New Zealand and South Africa in Ahmedabad. Both teams have won their first two matches. Both teams are sitting on four points. The winner takes the top spot in the group. The loser still qualifies but loses momentum. This match is crucial.
New Zealand have been dominant. They beat Afghanistan by five wickets and then beat UAE by ten wickets with twenty-eight balls to spare. Tim Seifert has been in fine form in the last six matches, scoring 257 runs at an average of 51.40 and a strike rate of 174.82. Finn Allen destroys the powerplay. Mitchell Santner is a smart captain and contributes with the ball. New Zealand are looking strong.
South Africa have been equally impressive. Aiden Markram’s brilliant performance helped them beat Canada by fifty-seven runs. The match against Afghanistan ended in a tie and South Africa won the second Super Over. Quinton de Kock has scored 383 runs in the last nine matches at an average of 42.56 and a strike rate of 178.97. Lungi Ngidi has taken fourteen wickets in seven matches at a strike rate of 10.35. South Africa have depth and experience.
NZ vs SA: Head to Head (T20Is)
| Format | Matches | NZ Won | SA Won | Tied | NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 18 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
Note: New Zealand and South Africa have met 18 times in official T20 international matches, with South Africa winning 11 matches and New Zealand winning 7. Their most recent meetings include several matches in the Zimbabwe T20I tri-series in 2025, where New Zealand won the last few matches.
NZ vs SA – Squad List
| No. | New Zealand Player | Role | South Africa Player | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitchell Santner (c) | Bowling allrounder | Aiden Markram (c) | Middle-order batter |
| 2 | Finn Allen † | Top-order batter | Corbin Bosch | Allrounder |
| 3 | Mark Chapman | Allrounder | Dewald Brevis | Middle-order batter |
| 4 | Devon Conway | Wicketkeeper batter | Quinton de Kock † | Wicketkeeper batter |
| 5 | Jacob Duffy | Bowler | Marco Jansen | Bowling allrounder |
| 6 | Lockie Ferguson | Bowler | George Linde | Allrounder |
| 7 | Matt Henry | Bowler | Keshav Maharaj | Bowler |
| 8 | Kyle Jamieson | Bowler | Kwena Maphaka | Bowler |
| 9 | Daryl Mitchell | Batting allrounder | David Miller | Middle-order batter |
| 10 | James Neesham | Batting allrounder | Lungi Ngidi | Bowler |
| 11 | Glenn Phillips | Allrounder | Anrich Nortje | Bowler |
| 12 | Rachin Ravindra | Batting allrounder | Kagiso Rabada | Bowler |
| 13 | Tim Seifert † | Wicketkeeper batter | Ryan Rickelton † | Wicketkeeper batter |
| 14 | Ish Sodhi | Bowler | Jason Smith | Top-order batter |
| 15 | — | — | Tristan Stubbs | Batter |
Next Read: WI vs NEP: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Prediction, Squads, Live Score & Stats
Pitch Report – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Pitch Nature | Flat and batting-friendly |
| Batting Support | High for stroke play once set |
| New Ball Behaviour | Pacers can extract early bounce |
| Spin Factor | Spinners effective in middle overs |
| Match Pattern | High scores common in T20s |
| Average T20 Score Range | 170–200+ |
| Toss Strategy | Batting first is often preferred |
| Safe / Defending Score | 180+ often competitive |
Team Analysis
New Zealand
The top order batting consists of Seifert and Allen, who can start quickly and change the match immediately. They have a strong chasing ability that has been seen in winning the World Cup. A balance between spin and seam bowling, Jacob Duffy has taken fifteen wickets in the last ten matches.
Defending the total under pressure in Ahmedabad’s high scoring conditions is a concern. The middle order should be tested without the important contribution of the all-rounders.
Key players to watch are Tim Seifert who is the top run scorer with exceptional recent form. Finn Allen who destroys the powerplay bowling. Mitchell Santner who impresses in the middle overs with spin and leadership. Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry who provide strike pace options.
South Africa
Strong batting line-up A balanced batting line-up with de Kock and Markram provides an experienced foundation. There is variety in the bowling with Ngidi providing pace and Corbin Bosh making an all-round contribution. Strong performances in high-pressure matches including a Super Over win.
Top-order concerns are kept in check by high-quality pace bowling. Slow phases in the middle overs should be avoided against aggressive bowling.
Key players to watch out for: Aiden Markram who leads consistently and scores runs. Quinton de Kock who opens with devastating effect. Lungi Ngidi who takes wickets with pace and bounce. Corbin Bosh who contributes with both bat and ball.
Toss Prediction
Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium is a flat batting surface. Conditions are good for batting in the evening light. Late fog makes bowling difficult. The captain who wins the toss can choose to bat first and set a target. In Ahmedabad, scoreboard pressure works well when the total is above 175.
Cricbites Match Prediction
| Team | Winning Chance (%) | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 55% | Strong recent T20 form and explosive batting |
| South Africa | 45% | Balanced squad and big match experience |
Cricbites Prediction: New Zealand are slightly ahead. Their top-order depth and recent consistency give them an advantage in this tournament. Seifert and Allen can only win matches in the Powerplay. South Africa’s balanced team and Ngidi’s wicket-taking ability enable them to win if they execute their plans properly.
Final Thoughts
This clash between New Zealand and South Africa in Group D offers everything in T20 cricket. Powerful batting from both sides. Fast bowling from Ngidi and Ferguson and Henry. Spin bowling by Santner and Sodhi in the middle overs. Strategic adjustments in every over. High stakes for the group standings.
Both teams want the top spot. Both teams will compete hard. The flat surface of Ahmedabad makes high totals possible. Disciplined bowling and sharp death over execution will decide the winner. Expect a close contest between two well-matched teams who have both reached this World Cup in excellent form.
Read More: ENG vs SCO: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Prediction, Squads, Live Score & Stats
Disclaimer
This preview and prediction is based on tested teams, recent performances, pitch expectations and available match context. Cricket is unpredictable. Actual results may vary due to toss decisions, weather conditions and individual talent on match day.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who is the captain of New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?
The captain of New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is Mitchell Santner.
Q2. Who is the captain of South Africa in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?
The captain of South Africa in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is Aiden Markram.
Q3. When and at what time will the New Zealand vs South Africa match be played?
New Zealand will take on South Africa on 14 February 2026. This match is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM IST.
Q4. Where is the match being played?
The New Zealand vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026 match will be played at Narendra Modi Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad, India.
Q5. What is the match number of NZ vs SA in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?
This match is the 24th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
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