NZ vs AFG Match No. 4 Preview: Free Live Streaming, Pitch & Weather Report, Head-to-Head, Playing XIs | ICC T20 World Cup 2026

The NZ vs AFG match will mark the first match from the most competitive group in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. New Zealand will face the semi-finalists from the previous World Cup and will also be seeking to avenge their defeat in the group stages of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

The article that follows includes a detailed preview of the NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup match, which includes the head-to-head record, their probable playing XI, a pitch report and live streaming details of the second match in the series.

NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup Match Preview:

Match Date: The NZ vs AFG match will be played on Sunday, February 8th.

Venue: The match will take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

Time: The match is scheduled to start at 11:00 AM IST.

NZ vs AFG Squads

New Zealand Squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Seifert, and Ish Sodhi.

Afghanistan Squad: Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen Ul Haq, Mohammad Ishaq Rahimi, Shahidullah Kamal, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, and Ibrahim Zadran.

Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi

NZ vs AFG Probable XIs:

New Zealand Playing XI: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry/Kyle Jamieson.

Afghanistan Playing XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Abdullah Ahmadzai/Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad and Naveen Ul Haq.

NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup Match Key Battles

Ibrahim Zadran vs Lockie Ferguson

Afghan opener Ibrahim Zadran has been one of the most consistent options for Afghanistan at the top of the team. Zadran has scored a pile of runs and is now a regular in the T20I side as well. Lockie Ferguson marked his return to the T20I side with the final game of the India series, and it will be monumental for the Kiwis in the powerplay with the new ball.

Mohammad Nabi vs Mitchell Santner

Mohammad Nabi, the Afghan veteran all-rounder, has played for over 2 decades for the Afghanistan team and has amassed some great numbers and the faith of millions of true cricket fans. Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand skipper, would have to take charge of dismissing him, considering Nabi's excellent form and his effectiveness during the death overs. Santner is one of the most clever choices under these circumstances.

Finn Allen vs Rashid Khan

New Zealand opening batter Finn Allen joined the NZ side and scored runs fluently at the top of the order. Allen scored runs with a promising strike rate after having played a major role in the BBL triumph for the Perth Scorchers. Rashid Khan, the leggie, is one of the most effective spinners in world cricket, and he is the only man who can restrict Allen's onslaught at the start of the innings.

Glenn Phillips vs Noor Ahmed

Kiwi batter Glenn Phillips is one of New Zealand's most dependable batters in the middle order. He has scored several runs and has won a series of matches, while Noor Ahmed, the spinner, too, has surfaced in recent times. Noor, the young spinner, has been backed over more experienced bowlers and is well-acquainted with the Chaidambaram Stadium, as he played the last season for the Chennai Super Kings.

NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup Match Key Players:

New Zealand Key Players: Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson

Afghanistan Key Players: Rashid Khan, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi

NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup Match - Free Live Streaming and Telecast Details

TV Broadcast in India: The Group D match featuring the New Zealand vs Afghanistan teams will be broadcast live across India on the Star Sports Network.

Online Live Streaming in India: Indian fans can watch the match live on the JioHotstar app from any part of the world. An active subscription will be required.

NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup Match Weather and Pitch Report - Chennai

NZ vs AFG: Weather Report in Chennai

According to Accuweather, Chennai, according to its known reputation, will present hot and humid conditions for the players. Since the game is a day game, the temperatures will be soaring around 32 degrees, and the humidity will make it feel like 38 degrees to the players.

It is expected to be bright and sunny, while the wind will be gusty and facilitating the seamers when the ball is light. There is no possibility of rainfall; hence, intense cricket action can be noticed here throughout the stretch of 40 overs.

NZ vs AFG: Pitch Report at MA Chidambaram Stadium

The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is one of the smallest grounds in India, with square as well as straight boundaries not over 70m. The ground has a low average score, and high scores above 170 are very rare.

Playing in T20 internationals, a total of 9 matches have seen in favour of batters, while the remainder have supported the bowlers. The track has often been called a paradise for spinners, who find grip, turn and sharp bounce on this track.

NZ vs AFG Head-to-Head Records

New Zealand and Afghanistan have never faced each other in bilaterals out of the ICC T20 World Cup. They have faced each other thrice in the T20 World Cups and have each won a match in the context of the World Cup.

While New Zealand won in the ICC 2021 T20 World Cup when they met for the first time, the second meetup was ruined by rain, and the last match between these two marked a shocking victory for the Afghans, as they bowled out the Blackcaps for just 75 runs.

Stats	Matches	NZ Won	AFG Won	Draw	Tied	NR
Overall	3	1	1	0	0	1
In T20 World Cup	3	1	1	0	0	1
Last 5 T20Is	3	1	1	0	0	1

NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup Match - Conclusion

The New Zealand vs Afghanistan match will not only mark the opening game of the tournament for these two teams, but also a crucial game for either side, as the winners would largely carry the advantage forward. With South Africa in the same group, either of these three teams is likely to be snubbed ahead of the next Super-8 stage.

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