Match 31 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will see New Zealand take on Canada at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This is a crucial Group-stage game, especially for New Zealand, who need a win to secure their place in the Super 8 stage.
The Black Caps started the tournament strongly but suffered a defeat in their previous match. Canada, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency and are almost out of the competition. However, they will look to play freely and try to cause an upset.
NZ vs CAN Match Details
| Match Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match | New Zealand vs Canada – Match 31 |
| Date | Tuesday, 17 February 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM IST |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
Match Preview
New Zealand
New Zealand have a balanced squad with strong batting and a disciplined bowling attack. Their opening pair of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert can give explosive starts, while players like Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, and Mark Chapman add stability in the middle order.
Their bowling attack, led by Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner, and Ish Sodhi, is well suited for Indian conditions.
Key Strengths
- Explosive opening pair
- Experienced bowling unit
- Strong spin attack for Chennai conditions
Key Concerns
- Pressure after the recent defeat
- Middle-order inconsistency in the last match
Canada
Canada have struggled in the tournament and have lost their last two matches. Their batting unit has found it difficult to adapt to Indian conditions.
Players like Navneet Dhaliwal, Harsh Thaker, and Saad Bin Zafar will need to deliver strong performances if Canada want to challenge New Zealand.
Key Strengths
- Fighting spirit with young players
- Useful all-round options
Key Concerns
- Inconsistent batting
- Limited experience against top international teams
Head-to-Head Record
| Teams | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | 0 |
| Canada | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
First-ever T20 meeting between the two teams.
Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Last 5 Matches |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | W, L, W, L, L |
| Canada | W, W, W, L, L |
Weather & Pitch Report – Chennai
Weather
- Temperature: 27–29°C
- Humidity: 50–60%
- Rain: No rain expected
Pitch Report
- Good batting surface initially
- Spinners will get assistance as the match progresses
- Teams batting first have had slightly better results
MA Chidambaram Stadium – T20I Stats
| Record | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 14 |
| Bat First Wins | 8 |
| Bat Second Wins | 5 |
| No Result | 1 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 162 |
| Highest Score | 199/4 |
| Lowest Score | 80 |
Predicted Playing XI
New Zealand
- Tim Seifert (wk)
- Finn Allen
- Rachin Ravindra
- Glenn Phillips
- Mark Chapman
- Daryl Mitchell
- Mitchell Santner (c)
- James Neesham
- Matt Henry
- Jacob Duffy
- Ish Sodhi
Canada
- Yuvraj Samra
- Dilpreet Bajwa (c)
- Navneet Dhaliwal
- Nicholas Kirton
- Harsh Thaker
- Shreyas Movva (wk)
- Jaskaran Singh
- Saad Bin Zafar
- Dilon Heyliger
- Kaleem Sana
- Ansh Patel
Dream11 Fantasy Tips
Small League (Safe Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Glenn Phillips
- Mark Chapman
- Navneet Dhaliwal
- Harsh Thaker
Grand League (High-Risk Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Finn Allen
- Tim Seifert
- Saad Bin Zafar
- Matt Henry
NZ vs CAN Dream11 Prediction – Who Will Win?
New Zealand have a stronger and more experienced squad, and their players are well familiar with Indian conditions. Their batting depth and disciplined bowling attack give them a clear advantage.
Canada have struggled to adapt to the conditions and may find it difficult against New Zealand’s pace and spin combination. If the Black Caps play to their potential, they should dominate this contest.
Predicted Winner: New Zealand
Injury Update
| Team | Status |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | No injury updates |
| Canada | No injury updates |
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