New Zealand vs United Arab Emirates, 11th Match, Group D

The upcoming clash between New Zealand and United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the 11th match of Group D at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 promises to be an intriguing contest. New Zealand, a consistent T20 powerhouse, arrive with strong recent form, boasting four wins in their last five T20 internationals. Their balanced combination of explosive batting and pace-friendly bowling renders them favorites on most surfaces. The UAE, meanwhile, have shown steady development as a competitive Associate nation, with key players making an impact in the subcontinent conditions recently. The head-to-head record between these teams is limited due to UAE’s newer presence at this level; however, New Zealand holds a psychological upper hand and more experience in high-pressure World Cup scenarios. Key players for New Zealand such as Martin Guptill and Trent Boult have demonstrated excellent form, especially in ICC events, with Guptill’s ability to anchor innings and Boult’s new ball spells creating early pressure. UAE’s strength lies in their middle-order batsman Vriitya Aravind and fast bowler Rashid Khan who have delivered crucial performances in recent matches. Strategically, New Zealand will likely aim to leverage the powerplay with aggressive strokeplay upfront and then use their variety of bowlers to keep the UAE batters under check. UAE will need disciplined bowling and smart batting to counter New Zealand's potent attack. AI suggested match winner: #### New Zealand: 75%, United Arab Emirates: 25%

If New Zealand bats first, the MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch, known for its balanced nature but favoring pacers slightly, should allow them to post a competitive total around 165-175. Their aggressive top order can exploit the initial hardness of the pitch. Conversely, if UAE bat first, they may aim for a slightly lower total in the range of 145-155, given their less experienced batting line-up and the challenge of New Zealand’s bowling attack. The pitch tends to slow slightly as the innings progress, meaning early runs will be crucial for both teams to set or chase a target confidently.

The MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch traditionally offers a balanced contest between bat and ball. Average first-innings scores in recent T20 international matches hover around 160 runs. The ground record indicates a marginal advantage for teams batting first, with a 55% win rate. The pitch provides some assistance to fast bowlers early on, with variable bounce, before becoming conducive to spinners as the innings progresses. Weather conditions forecast a clear sky with temperatures around 32°C, low humidity, and minimal chance of rain—ideal for a full match. Best bowler at this ground between the two teams: Trent Boult (New Zealand) with 12 wickets at an economy of 7.1. Best batsman at this ground: Martin Guptill (New Zealand) averaging 45.5 with two centuries recorded here. Best individual performance: Guptill’s 110* off 58 balls in a bilateral T20 match here in 2024.

Matches Played	New Zealand Wins	UAE Wins	No Result
3	3	0	0

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 Matches
New Zealand	W, W, L, W, W
United Arab Emirates	L, W, L, L, W

Martin Guptill: Showing impressive form in the ongoing tournament, Guptill has been pivotal in providing strong starts and converting starts into big scores.

Trent Boult: His early wicket-taking ability and experience in subcontinent conditions are crucial for New Zealand’s bowling attack.

Glenn Phillips: Known for his explosive middle-order batting, Phillips can change the game quickly with his power-hitting.

Vriitya Aravind: UAE’s dependable middle-order batsman who has played crucial innings recently, stabilizing their batting lineup under pressure.

Rashid Khan: The fast bowler has been their go-to wicket-taker, showing skill and discipline against top opposition.

Shaiman Anwar: Veteran UAE batsman, providing experience and valuable runs in crucial stages of the innings.