Two of cricket’s most talented teams meet under the Ahmedabad lights as New Zealand takes on South Africa in a must-win Group D encounter.
The Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket venue, sets the stage for this fascinating battle between contrasting styles. Mitchell Santner’s New Zealand side plays with calm precision and clever tactics, relying on their all-rounders to deliver in crucial moments.
Aiden Markram’s South Africa brings raw power and express pace, always capable of turning matches on their head within a few overs. With both teams hungry for victory to boost their knockout hopes, this Saturday evening promises edge-of-the-seat action in front of a massive crowd.
New Zealand vs South Africa Match Details
The game moves to Ahmedabad’s giant cricket ground for this important Group D meeting that could shape both teams’ chances in the tournament.
The Narendra Modi Stadium holds 132,000 people, making it the biggest cricket ground in the world.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match Number | 24th Match, Group D |
| Date | Saturday, February 14, 2026 |
| Time (Local) | 7:00 PM |
| Time (GMT) | 1:30 PM GMT |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
The boundaries stretch between the Adani Pavilion End and the GMDC End, creating an amazing setting for this match.
Weather Report
Ahmedabad’s dry climate will affect this evening’s game as both teams plan their strategies based on match-day conditions.
| Parameter | Forecast Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 22-26°C (Pleasant evening weather) |
| Humidity | 40-50% |
| Rain Chance | 5% (Clear skies expected) |
| Wind Speed | 8-12 km/h |
| Cloud Cover | Mostly clear |
The pleasant Ahmedabad evening with low humidity will help players maintain their energy levels. The light breeze might assist swing bowlers in the early overs. Rain is very unlikely, so fans should see a full 40-over match.
Pitch Report
The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch is known for being fair to both batters and bowlers in T20 matches.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Nature | The surface offers good bounce with some help for bowlers early on. The pitch slows down as the match goes on. |
| Batting Assistance | Batters can score runs freely once they settle in. The ball comes nicely onto the bat after the first few overs. |
| Bowling Assistance | Fast bowlers get movement with the new ball. Spinners become important in the middle overs as the pitch grips. |
| Boundary Size | Square boundaries measure around 65-70 meters. Straight boundaries extend to about 80-85 meters. |
| Ideal First Innings Score | Teams batting first aim for 170-180 on this ground. Scores above 175 put pressure on the chasing team. |
| Toss Impact | Winning the toss and batting first works well here. Chasing becomes harder as the pitch slows down under lights. |
The pitch at this stadium supports balanced cricket with opportunities for both departments.
Teams will plan carefully for powerplay overs and use their spinners wisely in middle overs.
NZ vs SA T20 World Cup Squads
Both countries have picked strong 15-player squads mixing experienced players with talented youngsters for this World Cup challenge.
New Zealand Squad
Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi
South Africa Squad
Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs
New Zealand brings a well-balanced team with Mitchell Santner leading skilled all-rounders and smart cricketers. South Africa packs powerful hitters and fast bowlers who can win matches on their own.
Key Players to Watch
Several match-winners from both teams could decide the result with their special skills and big-match experience.
Key Batters
| Player | Team | T20I Stats | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devon Conway | New Zealand | 1,739 runs in 66 matches at an average of 35.48, SR 128.81 | Left-handed opener who builds innings steadily |
| Glenn Phillips | New Zealand | 2,147 runs in 90 matches at an average of 31.57, SR 141.99 | Middle-order power hitter with quick scoring ability |
| Rachin Ravindra | New Zealand | 630 runs in 45 matches at an average of 19.09, SR 1135.19 | A young all-rounder who can bat anywhere in the order |
| Quinton de Kock | South Africa | 2,998 runs in 104 matches at an average of 31.89, SR 142.42 | Aggressive wicketkeeper-batter who attacks from ball one |
| David Miller | South Africa | 2,689 runs in 135 matches at an average of 33.66, SR 140.85 | Experienced finisher famous for winning tight games |
Key Bowlers
| Player | Team | T20I Stats | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lockie Ferguson | New Zealand | 69 wickets in 46 matches at an economy rate of 7.28 | Express fast bowler with deadly yorkers |
| Mitchell Santner | New Zealand | 136 wickets in 129 matches at an economy of 7.23 | A captain and left-arm spinner who controls the middle overs |
| Ish Sodhi | New Zealand | 162 wickets in 137 matches at an economy rate of 8.14 | A leg-spinner who takes important wickets in the middle overs |
| Kagiso Rabada | South Africa | 80 wickets in 74 matches at an economy rate of 8.48 | World-class fast bowler with excellent death bowling |
| Anrich Nortje | South Africa | 53 wickets in 45 matches at an economy rate of 7.29 | Sharp, fast bowler who generates extreme pace and bounce |
These players have proven themselves many times in important matches throughout their careers. Their performance will most likely determine which team wins this game.
Head-to-Head Record
New Zealand and South Africa share a competitive rivalry in T20 cricket, though South Africa has won more matches between these two teams.
| Match Format | Total Matches Played | New Zealand Won | South Africa Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 17 | 6 | 11 | 0 |
South Africa leads the head-to-head record with 11 wins compared to New Zealand’s 6 victories in 17 T20I matches. This shows South Africa has dominated this rivalry over the years.
However, New Zealand has beaten bigger teams in World Cup matches when it matters most. South Africa often struggles under pressure in knockout games despite having talented players. Both teams understand how to handle big occasions, making this match hard to predict.
Live Streaming & Broadcast Details
Cricket fans around the world can watch this exciting game through different broadcasting partners across various regions and platforms.
| Region/Country | Television | Digital/Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| India | Star Sports Network | JioHotstar |
| Pakistan | PTV, Myco | Tamasha, ARY Zapp, Tapmad |
| United Kingdom & Ireland | Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event | NOW |
| United States | Willow TV | Willow DTC, CricBuzz DTC, Willow YouTube |
| Sri Lanka | Dialog TV, TV Supreme, PEO TV | ThePapare.com, Dialog Play app |
| New Zealand | SKY Sport | SKY Sport digital |
| South Africa | SuperSport | SuperSport digital |
| Oman | Star Sports Network | – |
| Scotland | Sky Sports Cricket | NOW |
Indian viewers can enjoy full coverage on Star Sports Network with expert analysis in many languages. JioHotstar offers easy streaming for mobile and digital platforms with special camera angles and extra features.
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Conclusion: Big match in cricket’s largest stadium
New Zealand and South Africa meet at Ahmedabad’s giant Narendra Modi Stadium for this crucial Group D contest. Both teams bring quality players and winning experience to this World Cup battle.
The balanced pitch should produce an exciting match with good competition between bat and ball. South Africa’s stronger record gives them confidence, but New Zealand’s smart cricket can surprise any opponent.
