ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: New Zealand vs Afghanistan - team analysis, strengths and weaknesses

In what has been dubbed the 'Group of Death', two of the dark horses of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 will begin their campaign on the second day of the mega event. New-look New Zealand will take on a strong, resilient Afghanistan on 8th February at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai at 11 AM IST.

How to watch New Zealand vs Afghanistan, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match online?

Cricket fans in India can watch New Zealand vs Afghanistan, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match LIVE on Jio Hotstar, accessible via OTTPlay Premium.

Current scenarios of the New Zealand vs Afghanistan

New Zealand are coming into this World Cup after getting thrashed by India, 4-1, recently. However, their experience on Indian soil would come in handy, and that series against India would have helped them get ready for the mega event.

The Kiwis won in the warm-up game against the USA by only 7 runs, and they would definitely love to perform better with the ball when they take on Afghanistan in their first match of the T20 World Cup 2026.

Read also: ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Squad of every nation.

On the other hand, Afghanistan have been in great form recently, beating the West Indies by 2-1 in the recently completed series. Moreover, they also defeated Scotland and the West Indies in their warm-up games to be in perfect shape and condition for their opener against the Kiwis.

Read also: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: West Indies vs Scotland - team analysis, strengths and weaknesses.

Squad analysis - New Zealand vs Afghanistan

Led by Mitchell Santner, one of the best left-hand spinners around the world, with an economy rate below 5 in T20Is, New Zealand will start as one of the dark horses of the tournament. However, after getting defeated by Afghanistan in the last edition of the T20 World Cup, they will be very cautious at the start of the tournament.

Matt Henry, with a five-for in the warm-up game against the USA, will be their premium first bowler, alongside the captain himself. Ish Sodhi, who knows the Indian condition like any other player on the squad, will surely be one of the players to watch out for as well.

In the batting lineup, Rachin Ravindra, who had extensive experience playing for China's Super Kings in the IPL, will hold the key at the top of the order. Along with him, Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and Finn Allen will be important to their success.

Read also: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan vs Netherlands - team analysis, strengths and weaknesses.

In India, it has always been the case that the team that bowls better wins the tournament, and Afghanistan perhaps had the most lethal spin-bowling attack in the tournament. Led by Captain Rashid Khan, who himself is one of the premier leg spinners around the globe, along with Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmed, they make one of the most versatile spin attacks in the world.

Despite having a strong batting lineup, the main issue for Afghanistan has been the strike rate of the bat. In that case, Ramanullah Gurbaz, who also had experience in the Indian Premier League, will be key to their batting lineup.

Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal will have to make their bat talk if Afghanistan want to replicate the success of last edition.

Squads

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen Ul Haq, Mohammad Ishaq Rahimi, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran. Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi