Overview:
New Zealand are expected to dominate this clash, given their strong form and experience. Canada will face a tough challenge, with the odds stacked against them.
The 31st match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will feature New Zealand taking on Canada at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with the match starting at 11:00 AM IST.
New Zealand are gearing up for their last group-stage match, while Canada will play their third encounter. The Kiwis, who sit in second place with four points, will aim to secure their Super 8s spot with a win over Canada.
Canada, meanwhile, have been facing a rough patch. The Dilpreet Bajwa-led side has been dealt two back-to-back defeats, first by South Africa and then by the UAE. As a result, this upcoming match is crucial for their survival in the tournament.
NZ vs CAN Match Details
| Fixture | NZ vs CAN : 31st Match, T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | February 17th, 2026 (Tuesday) |
| Time | 11:00 AM IST |
| Toss time | 10:30 AM IST |
| Ground | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
NZ vs CAN head-to-head records in T20I
The two teams will meet for the first time in T20I history.
Pitch Report
Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium has hosted four matches in the current T20 World Cup, with all encounters being high-scoring. Only South Africa managed to defend a total, with the other three games being won by the side chasing. It appears that the pitch at Chennai may give batters an edge over the bowlers.
NZ vs CAN Probable Best Performers
Key batter to watch out for: Finn Allen
Finn Allen, the explosive New Zealand opener, is expected to be a major threat in this encounter. Following a quiet performance against Afghanistan, he has made a strong recovery, scoring 115 runs in his subsequent innings. His unbeaten stand with Tim Seifert against the UAE has reaffirmed the squad’s faith in his ability to deliver when it matters.
Key bowler to watch out for: Mitchell Santner
Mitchell Santner, New Zealand’s seasoned spinner and captain, is the bowler to keep an eye on in this match. Having spent several seasons with the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, he is well-acquainted with the ground, which could prove crucial against Canada.
NZ vs CAN Match Prediction ICC T20 World Cup 2026
New Zealand are expected to dominate this clash, given their strong form and experience. Canada will face a tough challenge, with the odds stacked against them. Overall, New Zealand are likely to secure a comfortable win and advance further in the tournament.
NZ vs CAN Probable XIs
New Zealand:Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert (WK), Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner (C), Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Kyle Jamieson, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy
Canada:Yuvraj Samra, Dilpreet Bajwa (C), Shreyas Movva (WK), Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Jaskaran Singh, Harsh Thaker, Saad Bin Zafar, Kaleem Sana, Dilon Heyliger, Ansh Patel