New Zealand vs Afghanistan, 4th Match, Group D

The clash between New Zealand and Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 promises high-octane cricket. New Zealand enters this contest with a strong T20 form, having showcased consistent performances in recent international fixtures, especially bolstered by their disciplined bowling attack and aggressive batting lineup. Afghanistan, on the other hand, has been one of the most entertaining teams in T20 cricket lately, riding on the razor-sharp skills of their spin attack and explosive middle order. Historically, New Zealand has edged out Afghanistan in their head-to-head engagements, but Afghanistan's rise in world cricket cannot be underestimated. Key players from New Zealand such as Devon Conway and Adam Milne have been pivotal, while Afghanistan will bank heavily on Rashid Khan's spin wizardry and Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s batting fireworks. The tactical battle will likely focus on how well New Zealand can handle Afghanistan’s spin-heavy bowling and whether Afghanistan can adapt to the disciplined New Zealand pace attack. Given the venue’s subcontinental conditions favoring spinners, Afghanistan might have a slight advantage in bowling, but New Zealand's versatile batting and fielding can offset that. The tactical acumen of captains and their ability to execute plans under pressure will be crucial. With both teams relatively evenly matched and playing crucial group games, expect a tight contest with momentum swinging either way depending on early breakthroughs.

AI suggested match winner

New Zealand: 56%, Afghanistan: 44%

If New Zealand bats first, on a pitch that traditionally offers assistance to spinners but is also conducive for stroke play, they can be expected to post a competitive total around 165-175 runs. Their deep batting lineup and ability to accelerate in the death overs support this forecast. Conversely, if Afghanistan bats first, they may aim for a total in the region of 160-170 runs. Their aggressive opening partnership and Rashid Khan-led middle overs can stabilize and boost the innings, but the disciplined New Zealand bowling may restrict them just short of a 180+ score. Both teams are capable of scoring big but the pitch's balance suggests mid-160s to mid-170s as the par score.

The pitch at MA Chidambaram Stadium is traditionally a balanced wicket offering assistance to spinners as the match progresses. The average first-innings score here over the past five T20 internationals is approximately 162 runs. Teams chasing at this venue have a success rate of around 52%, making it fairly balanced for bat and ball. Weather conditions are expected to be hot and humid with a slight chance of overcast conditions in the late afternoon, potentially aiding seamers early on. Best performances on this ground involving these teams include Rashid Khan’s 4/20 bowling figures for Afghanistan, the best bowling display in their meetings here. For New Zealand, Martin Guptill’s unbeaten 85 in a previous encounter remains the highest individual score at this venue between the two sides.

Matches Played	New Zealand Wins	Afghanistan Wins
7	5	2

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 Matches
New Zealand	W, W, L, W, L
Afghanistan	W, L, W, W, L

Devon Conway has been in scintillating touch for New Zealand, scoring consistently at a strike rate above 140 in recent matches, anchoring the innings expertly.

Adam Milne has returned to his peak pace form, providing crucial breakthroughs in the powerplay and well into the death overs.

Martin Guptill remains a dependable opener, combining experience and power hitting to exploit early match conditions.

Rashid Khan continues to baffle batsmen worldwide with his variations and economy, having picked up multiple key wickets in recent games.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been explosive at the top order, providing brisk starts that set the tone for Afghanistan’s innings.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman adds depth to Afghanistan’s spin attack, proving valuable in middle overs with economical spells and wickets.