The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 continues with an exciting Group D clash as New Zealand face the United Arab Emirates in the 11th Match at the famous MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The Kiwis, known for their balanced team and calm approach, will aim to dominate this fixture. Meanwhile, the UAE will be ready to fight hard and prove they can compete against top teams.
With both sides looking for valuable points in Group D, this match promises competitive cricket under the Chennai lights.
NZ vs UAE T20 World Cup – Match Details
The action shifts to Chennai for this important Group D encounter.
Here’s everything you need to know about the match schedule and venue.
| Match Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Match Number | 11th Match, Group D |
| Date | February 10, 2026 |
| Time (Local) | 3:00 PM |
| Time (GMT) | 9:30 AM |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
The MA Chidambaram Stadium, with its massive 50,000 capacity, will create a thrilling atmosphere for this encounter. The boundaries are set between the Anna Pavilion End and the V Pattabhiraman Gate End.
Weather Report
Chennai’s warm climate will play an important role in this match. Here’s what the weather forecast suggests for match day.
| Parameter | Forecast Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 28-31°C (Hot and Humid) |
| Humidity | 65-75% |
| Rain Chance | 20% (Mostly clear skies) |
| Wind Speed | 12-18 km/h |
| Cloud Cover | Partly cloudy |
The conditions should remain good for cricket throughout the match. The humidity might help swing bowlers in the early overs, while spinners could become more effective as the pitch slows down during the game.
Pitch Report
The MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch is known for favoring spinners, especially in the second half of matches.
Here’s what both teams can expect from this Chennai surface.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Nature | The pitch starts well for batting but slows down as the match continues. Spinners become more dangerous in the middle and late overs. |
| Batting Assistance | Batters should score quickly in the powerplay when the ball comes onto the bat nicely. Building partnerships will be important as the pitch gets slower. |
| Bowling Assistance | Spinners will get good turn and grip from the surface. Fast bowlers might find some early movement, but they need to be smart with their plans. |
| Boundary Size | Square boundaries measure between 60 and 65 meters. Straight boundaries are longer at around 75 meters. |
| Ideal First Innings Score | A score of 160-170 is considered competitive on this pitch. Teams batting first need to post a challenging total. |
| Toss Impact | Winning the toss might give teams the chance to bat first and put pressure on the opposition by setting a target. |
The pitch conditions suggest that teams with strong spin bowling attacks will have an advantage. Batters need to play smartly and rotate the strike against quality spin.
Key Players to Watch
Both teams will select their best playing 11 from the squads below.
1. New Zealand Squad
Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen (wk), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wk), Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi
2. United Arab Emirates Squad
Muhammad Waseem (c), Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Harshit Kaushik, Mayank Kumar, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Rohid, Muhammad Zohaib, Dhruv Parashar, Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma (wk), Simranjeet Singh, Sohaib Khan
Key Players to Watch
Key Batters
| Batter | Team | Role | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finn Allen | New Zealand | Opener | Explosive powerplay hitter with the ability to score quick runs |
| Devon Conway | New Zealand | Top Order | Solid technique and consistency in building innings |
| Rachin Ravindra | New Zealand | Top/Middle Order | Elegant stroke player with excellent temperament |
| Muhammad Waseem | UAE | Opener | Aggressive captain who leads from the front |
| Alishan Sharafu | UAE | Opener | Young talent with a fearless approach |
| Aryansh Sharma | UAE | Wicketkeeper Batter | Capable of changing the game with quick scoring |
Key Bowlers
| Bowler | Team | Type | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Santner | New Zealand | Left-arm Spin | A captain and experienced spinner who controls the middle overs |
| Ish Sodhi | New Zealand | Leg Spin | Wicket-taking option with good variations |
| Lockie Ferguson | New Zealand | Fast | Express pace and deadly yorkers at the death |
| Matt Henry | New Zealand | Fast Medium | A swing bowler is effective in the power play |
| Junaid Siddique | UAE | Medium Pace | Experienced bowler who can swing the new ball |
| Muhammad Jawadullah | UAE | Fast | Pace spearhead with the ability to take early wickets |
Head-to-Head Record
New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates have met three times in T20 International cricket. The Kiwis have dominated this matchup, but the UAE managed to pull off one memorable victory.
| Match Format | Total Matches Played | New Zealand Won | UAE Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 3 | 2 | 1 |
New Zealand has won 2 out of 3 matches against the UAE in T20 cricket, showing their superior record in this fixture. However, the one victory for the UAE proves they can upset bigger teams on their day. The Black Caps will be confident but cannot take the UAE lightly, especially in the pressure atmosphere of a World Cup. The UAE will draw inspiration from their previous win and believe they can cause another surprise.
Live Streaming & Broadcast Details
Cricket fans worldwide can watch all the action live through various broadcast partners. Here’s your complete viewing guide for this Group D match.
| Region/Country | Television | Digital/Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| India | Star Sports Network (English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada) | JioHotstar (includes Bengali, Bhojpuri, Haryanvi feeds) |
| UAE & MENA | CricLife Max (via StarzPlay) | StarzPlay |
| United States | Willow TV | Willow DTC, CricBuzz DTC, Willow YouTube |
| United Kingdom & Ireland | Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event | NOW |
| Netherlands | – | NOS |
| New Zealand | SKY Sport | SKY Sport digital |
| Australia | – | Prime Video |
| Canada | Willow TV | Willow DTC, CricBuzz DTC |
Indian viewers can enjoy complete coverage on the Star Sports Network with expert analysis and commentary in multiple languages, while streaming is available on JioHotstar for mobile viewing.
Match Prediction
New Zealand enters this match as the clear favorites with their experienced squad and strong all-round abilities. Mitchell Santner’s leadership and the team’s spin bowling strength will be crucial on the Chennai pitch.
The UAE faces a tough challenge, but has talented players who can perform on the big stage. Muhammad Waseem will need to lead from the front with the bat, while their bowlers must execute perfect plans to contain the Kiwi batters.
New Zealand should win this match comfortably, butthe UAE will fight hard to make it competitive.
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Conclusion – David vs Goliath showdown awaits
New Zealand is expected to win this Group D encounter, but the UAE have shown they can surprise bigger teams. The MA Chidambaram Stadium will host this interesting contest between Kiwi experience and UAE determination. Both teams need points to strengthen their position in the group, making this a must-win game for different reasons.
