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The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is heating up, and the 31st match of the tournament presents a classic David vs Goliath battle. On Tuesday, 17th February 2026, the cricketing powerhouse New Zealand will lock horns with the spirited Associate nation Canada at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. For New Zealand, this match is a crucial opportunity to solidify their position in the Super 8 race after a setback against South Africa. For Canada, it is a chance to restore national pride and register a historic victory against one of the world’s best teams.
As we provide our New Zealand vs Canada 31st T20 match prediction, the gulf in experience and class is evident, but T20 cricket is notorious for its unpredictability. The Kiwis, currently second in Group D, boast a lethal bowling attack and a deep batting lineup. However, their recent loss exposed a slight vulnerability in their middle-order against quality spin, a factor Canada will look to exploit on a Chennai pitch known for assisting turn.
Canada, on the other hand, are yet to open their account in the tournament. Their batting showed resilience in the last game against UAE, with Harsh Thaker scoring a valiant half-century, but their bowling attack struggled to defend a competitive total. To make this ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match competitive, the Canadian batsmen will need to find a way to counter the raw pace of Lockie Ferguson and the guile of Mitchell Santner.
While history and current form heavily favor New Zealand, the beauty of this format means that 40 overs of action can still produce a fairy-tale ending. Let’s dive deep into the stats, squad analysis, and pitch conditions to find out who will win today’s match.
Match Details
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | NZ vs CAN, 31st T20 Match, Group D |
| Date | Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 |
| Time | 2:30 PM Local Time |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
Team Preview
New Zealand Team Preview
The New Zealand cricket team finds itself in a position of strength despite a recent hiccup. Sitting comfortably at the second spot on the Group D points table, the Black Caps have been one of the most consistent sides in world cricket. Their campaign began with two commanding victories, showcasing their depth and adaptability. However, their previous match against South Africa served as a wake-up call. Chasing a competitive total of 175, the Proteas made light work of the Kiwi bowling attack, chasing down the target with ease. This loss highlighted a potential area of concern for captain Mitchell Santner: the death bowling.
While Lockie Ferguson has been exceptional, picking up 4 wickets in the tournament, the other bowlers have been a tad expensive. Batting remains New Zealand’s strong suit. At the top, Tim Seifert has been in scintillating form, amassing 167 runs and providing explosive starts. In the middle order, the experienced duo of Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell provides stability and firepower. Chapman’s composed 48 in the last game was a testament to his ability to anchor the innings.
Glenn Phillips is another X-factor who can single-handedly change the course of the game with his 360-degree stroke play. The return of Devon Conway adds further solidity to an already formidable lineup. On a Chennai pitch that might offer some turn, the spin duo of Santner and Michael Bracewell will be key. They will be tasked with controlling the middle overs and preventing the Canadian batsmen from scoring freely. Expect New Zealand to come out with aggressive intent, looking to not only secure a win but also significantly improve their net run rate.
Canada Team Preview
For Canada, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has been a steep learning curve so far. Rooted to the bottom of Group D with two losses, the Canadian team is searching for its first positive result on the biggest stage. While the results haven’t gone their way, there have been individual sparks of brilliance that they will hope to build upon. Their batting, in particular, showed significant improvement in the last match against the UAE.
After a shaky start that saw them lose two early wickets, Harsh Thaker played a captain’s knock. His 50 off 41 balls was a masterclass in rebuilding an innings on a tricky surface. Alongside him, Navneet Dhaliwal also chipped in with a crucial 34, proving that the Canadian top order has the capability to post competitive scores. The problem for Canada, however, lies with the ball. Their bowling attack, led by the experienced Saad Bin Zafar (3 wickets), has struggled to contain runs and pick up wickets at regular intervals.
In their previous game, they failed to defend a total of 150, allowing the UAE to chase it down with an over to spare. Against a power-packed New Zealand batting lineup, this bowling unit faces its biggest test. The spinners, including Saad Bin Zafar and Harsh Thaker, will need to be exceptionally accurate to prevent the Kiwi batsmen from breaking free. The fielding will also need to be at 100%.
Dropping catches against a team like New Zealand is simply not an option. For Canada, this match is about more than just winning; it’s about competing fiercely, learning from the best, and showing the cricketing world that they belong at this level. A strong performance with the ball and a solid batting display could make this a memorable contest.
Team Squad
New Zealand Squad:
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.
Canada Squad:
Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Ajayveer Hundal, Ansh Patel, Dilon Heyliger, Harsh Thaker, Jaskarandeep Singh, Kaleem Sana, Kanwarpal Tathgur, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Ravinderpal Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma, Shreyas Movva, Yuvraj Samra.
Probable Playing XI
New Zealand Probable Playing XI:
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi.
Canada Probable Playing XI:
Yuvraj Samra, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Harsh Thaker, Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Shreyas Movva (wk), Ravinderpal Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Dilon Heyliger, Kaleem Sana, Jaskarandeep Singh.
Fantasy Team XI
| Role | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Wicket-Keeper | Tim Seifert | New Zealand |
| Wicket-Keeper | Devon Conway | New Zealand |
| Batter | Finn Allen | New Zealand |
| Batter | Navneet Dhaliwal | Canada |
| Batter | Mark Chapman | New Zealand |
| All-Rounder | Harsh Thaker | Canada |
| All-Rounder | Mitchell Santner | New Zealand |
| All-Rounder | Michael Bracewell | New Zealand |
| Bowler | Lockie Ferguson | New Zealand |
| Bowler | Matt Henry | New Zealand |
| Bowler | Saad Bin Zafar | Canada |
Building a winning fantasy team for this NZ vs CAN clash requires a strategic balance, heavily favoring the in-form and more experienced New Zealand side while cherry-picking a few key Canadian performers who can provide value. The top order is stacked with Kiwi power. Tim Seifert is a must-have, being the tournament’s leading run-scorer for his team with 167 runs, and his explosive starts are fantasy gold. Partnering him is Devon Conway, whose consistency and ability to bat deep makes him a reliable points scorer. Finn Allen and Mark Chapman are automatic picks given their aggressive stroke play and form; Chapman’s 48 in the last game under pressure shows his class.
From the Canadian camp, Navneet Dhaliwal is their top run-getter and a safe bet to anchor their innings. The crucial all-rounder slots are where we blend utility. Harsh Thaker is Canada’s most valuable player, fresh off a brilliant fifty and capable of bowling useful off-spin. For New Zealand, captain Mitchell Santner is pivotal—his economical bowling in the middle overs on a turning Chennai track and his late-order hitting make him a captaincy contender in fantasy. Michael Bracewell offers similar dual-threat capability with his off-spin and power-hitting.
The bowling attack is New Zealand-dominated. Lockie Ferguson has been their prime wicket-taker with 4 scalps, and his raw pace is a threat on any surface. Matt Henry is a wicket-taker with the new ball. We include Saad Bin Zafar as the sole Canadian bowler, as he has been their most economical and successful bowler, likely to bowl in the powerplay and at the death.
Captain and Vice-Captain Picks:
- Captain: Tim Seifert (Explosive top-order batter in prime form).
- Vice-Captain: Lockie Ferguson (Leading wicket-taker for NZ, can pick up multiple wickets).
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Team:
- Glenn Phillips (NZ): Despite his reputation, he has failed in the last two outings and looks vulnerable against spin early in his innings. He is a high-risk pick for this specific match.
- Dilon Heyliger (CAN): The Canadian bowling attack is likely to be under severe pressure from the outset. Heyliger could prove to be expensive, leading to negative fantasy points and offering little value compared to safer Kiwi bowling options.
Pitch Report
The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is renowned for its slow, turning track. It is traditionally a spin-friendly surface where batsmen need to work hard for their runs, especially in the middle overs. Pace bowlers might get some early assistance with the new ball, but as the game progresses, batting becomes tougher. The average first innings score here is relatively low compared to other Indian grounds, hovering around 150-160. Spinners from both teams will play a crucial role.
Weather Report
The weather in Chennai is expected to be hot and humid. There is no forecast for rain, ensuring a full and uninterrupted 20-over contest. Temperatures will hover around 30 degrees Celsius.
Toss Prediction
Winning the toss and bowling first is the preferred option at this venue, as teams like to chase due to the dew factor that can make batting easier in the second half. We predict New Zealand will win the toss and bowl first.
Probable Best Batter & Bowler
Probable Best Batter: Tim Seifert (New Zealand)
Given his current form and the struggles of the Canadian bowling attack, Tim Seifert is our pick for the best batter. He has been in the zone, scoring 167 runs already, and will look to capitalize on the powerplay overs. His ability to clear the boundaries with ease makes him the most dangerous batter in this contest. If he gets going, he could single-handedly take the game away from Canada within the first six overs.
Probable Best Bowler: Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand)
Lockie Ferguson’s raw pace and accuracy make him a threat to any batting lineup. On the Chennai pitch, while spinners will operate from one end, Ferguson’s role will be to break partnerships and target the stumps with his toe-crushing yorkers. He is the leading wicket-taker for New Zealand in the tournament with 4 wickets and will be eager to add to his tally against a Canadian side that might not be accustomed to facing such extreme pace.
Match Prediction
Based on current form, squad depth, and experience, this is a one-sided affair on paper. New Zealand are a world-class unit playing for a spot in the Super 8s, while Canada are a developing team still finding its feet. The Kiwi bowling attack, led by Ferguson and Santner, should be too good for the Canadian batters, and their explosive top order will likely pile on the runs. While Canada will fight hard, an upset looks highly unlikely.
Our Winner: New Zealand Will Win
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