🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: M4: AFG vs NZ at Chennai on 08/02/26🏏

🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: M4: AFG vs NZ at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on 08/02/26 at 11:00 AM IST🏏

Injury-hit New Zealand eye revenge as Afghanistan look to run it back

Afghanistan hammered New Zealand in the 2024 edition, and conditions make them favourites with a strong spin attack

Afghanistan vs New Zealand in the early stages of a T20 World Cup. Sounds familiar? The memories of their clash in 2024 will be very pleasant or downright horrific depending on who you support. It proved a pivotal result with the teams going in vastly opposite directions after Afghanistan's stunning 84-run hammering in Guyana.

It kick-started Afghanistan's fairytale semi-final run, fuelling an outpouring of revelry in the streets back home. For New Zealand, it was effectively the beginning of the end as they flamed out in a rare early exit at a global tournament.

The teams have not played in any format since, creating even more anticipation for a rematch with big stakes. Group D is considered the 'group of death' with South Africa also in its ranks, amplifying the importance of this match for teams considered dark horses in the tournament.

Team news

New Zealand enter the tournament in disarray as they battle injury and illness. Batters Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway have been struck down with illness, while Allen is nursing a shoulder injury he sustained against India. Allrounder Michael Bracewell and fast bowler Lockie Ferguson have been dealing with calf issues. There is optimism from the New Zealand camp that they will have a near full-strength squad to choose from although Ravindra appears unlikely to recover in time.

New Zealand XI (Probable): 1 Finn Allen, 2 Tim Seifert (wk), 3 Rachin Ravindra/Devon Conway, 4 Glenn Phillips, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Mark Chapman, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Lockie Ferguson, 10 Matt Henry 11 Ish Sodhi

Unlike New Zealand, Afghanistan have few concerns and should field a full-strength line-up which includes their favoured spin-heavy attack.

Afghanistan XI (Probable): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Sediqullah Atal, 4 Darwish Rasooli, 5 Mohammad Nabi, 6 Gulbadin Naib, 7 Azmatullah Omarzai, 8 Rashid Khan (capt), 9 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 10 Fazalhaq Farooqi, 11 Noor Ahmad

MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai: Pitch Report

A pitch having the reputation of a rank turner is what is typically the scene at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. However, batters enjoy their time equally playing at this venue, and it has been witness to some thrilling contests between the bat and ball. Two out of the three T20Is played here have been won by the chasing teams, suggesting a strong indication for the captain winning the toss on Sunday.

NZ vs AFG: Probable Best Performers

Probable Best Batter: Devon Conway

Devon Conway has loads of experience playing the Chepauk turf, as he has spent a considerable amount of time with Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. In any case, he is a feared batter who can take the attack to the cleaners with a calm yet aggressive mindset to score runs. As an opener, Conway is expected to provide a good start to the BlackCaps.

Probable Best Bowler: Noor Ahmad

Like Conway, Noor Ahmad has also played a lot of cricket for the Chennai-based franchise and has been among the most successful bowlers at the venue in recent years. The slowness of the pitch can help Noor attract a lot of assistance with the ball. Noor is likely to use his variations and skills to provide important breakthroughs to Rashid & Co.

Today's Match Prediction: Chasing team to win the match meaning have both have 50% chance at winning the match.

Disclaimer

The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.

In the spotlight: Finn Allen and Rashid Khan

New Zealand Cricket has taken a pragmatic approach to the proliferation of T20 leagues by allowing players to take up casual agreements to have flexibility with their international commitments. Finn Allen has been one to take up the offer and it meant he missed most of the white-ball tour against India due to the BBL. But he has stated a strong desire to keep playing international cricket, music to the ears of New Zealand's hierarchy. He clubbed 80 off 38 balls in his return in the fifth T20I in his first international match in 10 months. After a long layoff last year due to a foot injury, Allen ignited title-winners Perth Scorchers and he rewrote the six-hitting records during his destructive rampage. Such is the brutality, he even sometimes made opening partner Mitchell Marsh look relatively sedate by comparison. If he continues his heater - there is some doubt over his fitness for the opener - then New Zealand will get off to flyers.

Rashid Khan, obviously, is Afghanistan's talisman and looms large over their campaign. There isn't much more that can be said about the leggie who has taken the most wickets in T20I history with an economy of just six. The burden on his shoulders is even greater these days with the captaincy responsibilities but he should absolutely relish the likely drier surfaces. Rashid, of course, was at the heart of Afghanistan's famous victory over New Zealand at the last T20 World Cup with a mesmerising 4 for17 from four overs and he'll fancy something similar here.

Stats and trivia

Tim Seifert needs 47 runs to become the fifth New Zealand batter to reach 2000 T20I runs.

Rashid Khan is 13 away from being the first bowler to reach 200 T20I wickets

The teams have split the only two T20Is they've played against each other.

Quotes

"It's a big game for us first up. We know what happened last time and we know how good Afghanistan are."

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner.

"As we have done in the '24 World Cup, we have beaten big teams and I think the confidence is there."

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan.

New Zealand arrive quietly, but not lightly

There is less noise around this New Zealand side, but not for lack of experience or clarity. In a post-Kane Williamson era, it arrives as a settled group under Mitchell Santner, captaining for the first time at a World Cup but supported by seasoned tournament players. The quiet owes more to recent results, notably a 4-1 defeat to India, when New Zealand looked some distance off the pace, even if few sides have escaped that feeling against an Indian team this dominant. The memory of the last T20 World Cup also lingers, where losses to West Indies and Afghanistan ended their campaign prematurely.

That disappointment still sits close. Head coach Rob Walter spoke of the "hurt" during the squad announcement, placing it against New Zealand's self-image as "perennial semi-finalists and finalists" and the standards that come with it. This World Cup, then, is less about reinvention and more about response, a chance to reassert credibility, align reputation with returns and, as Walter put it, not just be better but "represent well" again.

Can Afghanistan live up to elevated expectations?

Afghanistan come into the T20 World Cup as a team that has outgrown the tag of plucky outsiders. Consistent qualification and strong performances across recent ICC events have pushed expectations higher than ever before. With a core that has played a lot of high-level T20 cricket around the world, Afghanistan arrive with the belief that they can go deep into the tournament once more like they did in the last edition. Their bowling resources, especially in spin, continue to define their identity. For Afghanistan, this World Cup is about sustaining what they did in 2024.