New Zealand vs Canada Prediction: Who Will Win NZ vs CAN 31st T20 Match on 17th February 2026?
The New Zealand vs Canada prediction for the 31st T20 of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup points strongly toward the Black Caps, who are currently placed second in Group D with four points from three matches. Scheduled on Tuesday, 17th February 2026 at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, this encounter is crucial for New Zealand as a win will confirm their qualification for the Super 8 stage.
Despite suffering a defeat against South Africa in their previous outing, New Zealand have looked dominant overall, especially in batting-friendly conditions. Tim Seifert has been in explosive form with 167 runs at a strike rate of 180, while Finn Allen has maintained a strike rate of 168, including a blistering 89 against UAE.
However, Rachin Ravindra’s lean patch remains a concern with only 13 runs in three matches. Canada, on the other hand, sit at the bottom of Group D with two defeats. Their campaign has struggled due to inconsistent middle-order performances, although Navneet Dhaliwal and Harsh Thaker have shown resilience.
Chepauk traditionally supports spinners later in the innings, which could benefit Mitchell Santner and Saad Bin Zafar. On paper, New Zealand’s superior experience, firepower, and bowling depth make them overwhelming favorites.
Cricketwebs provide best match prediction tips for every cricket match, and all indicators suggest the Black Caps are primed to secure two vital points in this Group D clash.
- New Zealand’s Qualification Push: The Black Caps need one more win to secure their Super 8 berth. With two wins already at Chepauk, they understand local conditions well and hold tactical clarity in both batting and bowling departments.
- Canada’s Uphill Task: Canada have lost both matches convincingly. Their batting has relied heavily on Navneet Dhaliwal and Harsh Thaker. Lack of middle-order support and inability to take wickets in clusters have hurt their campaign.
- Key Battle – Seifert vs Canada Pace Attack: Tim Seifert’s aggressive powerplay batting could dismantle Canada’s new-ball bowlers like Kaleem Sana and Jaskaran Singh. Early breakthroughs are Canada’s only realistic path to competitiveness.
- Spin Factor at Chepauk: The Chennai surface offers grip for slower bowlers. Mitchell Santner’s left-arm spin and Saad Bin Zafar’s accuracy could shape the middle overs. If New Zealand bat first and post 160+, the chase may become extremely challenging under pressure.
Match Details
| Match | NZ vs CAN, 31st T20 |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, 17th February 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM IST |
| Venue | M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
Team Previews
New Zealand Preview
New Zealand enter this crucial Group D fixture with qualification firmly in their sights. With two wins from three matches, the Black Caps know that victory against Canada will guarantee their place in the Super 8 stage. Despite a setback against South Africa, their overall campaign has been structured, disciplined, and tactically sound. The loss exposed minor death-bowling vulnerabilities, but it also sharpened their focus heading into this must-win clash.
At the top of the order, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert have provided explosive starts. Seifert, in particular, has been outstanding, accumulating 167 runs at a strike rate of 180. His aggressive powerplay approach places immediate pressure on opposition bowlers. Allen complements him perfectly with fearless stroke play, demonstrated by his 89 off 42 balls earlier in the tournament. If either batter settles, New Zealand often dominate the first six overs.
Rachin Ravindra’s lean run — just 13 runs in three games — is a concern. However, the team management continues to back him due to his ability to anchor innings and contribute with the ball if needed. The middle order remains one of New Zealand’s strongest assets. Mark Chapman rotates strike efficiently and accelerates when required. Glenn Phillips brings brute power and is particularly dangerous against spin, while Daryl Mitchell provides composure and experience in pressure situations.
Mitchell Santner, leading the side, plays a vital dual role. His left-arm spin is tailor-made for Chennai conditions, where grip and turn become prominent as the innings progresses. James Neesham offers late-order hitting and medium-pace variation.
With Lockie Ferguson unavailable, Kyle Jamieson is expected to step in, adding bounce and seam movement. Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy will handle new-ball duties, targeting early breakthroughs against Canada’s inconsistent top order.
Overall, New Zealand possess superior depth, international experience, and a balanced attack capable of adapting to Chepauk’s surface.
Canada Preview
Canada have endured a challenging campaign in this T20 World Cup, losing both of their matches and currently sitting at the bottom of Group D. While qualification remains mathematically possible, their path is extremely narrow. Facing a seasoned New Zealand side will require near-perfect execution in all departments.
The batting lineup has revolved heavily around Navneet Dhaliwal and Harsh Thaker. Dhaliwal has scored 98 runs in two innings at a strike rate of 128, showing resilience and adaptability. Thaker, who struck a well-constructed 50 off 41 against UAE, has provided stability in the middle order. However, beyond these two, Canada’s batting has lacked consistency.
Yuvraj Samra, who boasts impressive recent T20 form outside this tournament, has yet to make a meaningful impact. Captain Dilpreet Bajwa must lead from the front and build partnerships at the top. Nicholas Kirton and Shreyas Movva have shown glimpses of potential but have failed to convert starts into substantial contributions.
Canada’s bowling attack has shown moments of promise but lacks sustained penetration. Saad Bin Zafar has been economical and picked up three wickets at 7.42 per over. His left-arm spin could be effective on a Chepauk pitch offering assistance to slower bowlers. Ansh Patel has also claimed three wickets but needs support from pace bowlers Kaleem Sana and Dilon Heyliger.
The primary challenge for Canada lies in breaking partnerships and maintaining scoreboard pressure. Against aggressive batters like Seifert and Allen, early wickets are essential. If Canada fail to strike in the powerplay, the match could quickly slip out of reach.
Fielding standards must also improve. Dropped chances and misfields have cost them momentum in previous games. To challenge New Zealand, Canada will need disciplined bowling, structured batting partnerships, and clinical fielding.
Despite being underdogs, Canada have talented players capable of producing competitive performances if they execute their plans effectively.
Team Squads
New Zealand Squad
Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway, Cole McConchie.
Canada Squad
Yuvraj Samra, Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Harsh Thaker, Shreyas Movva (wk), Jaskaran Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Dilon Heyliger, Kaleem Sana, Ansh Patel, Ravinderpal Singh, Kanwarpal Tathgur, Ajayveer Hundal, Shivam Sharma.
Probable Playing XI
New Zealand Probable XI
Finn Allen
Tim Seifert (wk)
Rachin Ravindra
Glenn Phillips
Mark Chapman
Daryl Mitchell
Mitchell Santner (c)
James Neesham
Matt Henry
Kyle Jamieson
Jacob Duffy
Canada Probable XI
Dilpreet Bajwa (c)
Yuvraj Samra
Navneet Dhaliwal
Nicholas Kirton
Shreyas Movva (wk)
Harsh Thaker
Saad Bin Zafar
Jaskaran Singh
Dilon Heyliger
Kaleem Sana
Ansh Patel
New Zealand vs Canada Today’s Dream11/Fantasy Prediction
| Role | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| WK | Tim Seifert | New Zealand |
| Bat | Finn Allen | New Zealand |
| Bat | Glenn Phillips | New Zealand |
| Bat | Mark Chapman | New Zealand |
| Bat | Navneet Dhaliwal | Canada |
| AR | Mitchell Santner | New Zealand |
| AR | Daryl Mitchell | New Zealand |
| AR | Harsh Thaker | Canada |
| Bowl | Matt Henry | New Zealand |
| Bowl | Kyle Jamieson | New Zealand |
| Bowl | Saad Bin Zafar | Canada |
This fantasy combination is built around New Zealand’s dominance while retaining key Canadian performers for balance. Tim Seifert is an automatic inclusion given his strike rate of 180 and consistency at the top. Finn Allen complements him, especially in powerplay overs where boundary points accumulate quickly. Glenn Phillips is valuable due to his aggressive middle-order role and ability to clear spin-heavy fields at Chepauk.
Mitchell Santner is a crucial fantasy asset because of his dual role — economical left-arm spin on a turning surface and useful lower-order runs. Daryl Mitchell adds reliability with the bat and occasional overs if required. Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson provide wicket-taking potential with the new ball and at the death.
From Canada, Navneet Dhaliwal remains their most consistent batter, while Harsh Thaker offers stability and part-time bowling points. Saad Bin Zafar’s left-arm spin could generate breakthroughs in Chennai conditions.
Captain & Vice-Captain Choices
- Captain: Tim Seifert / Mitchell Santner
- Vice-Captain: Finn Allen / Glenn Phillips
Players to Avoid
- Rachin Ravindra (poor tournament form)
- Jaskaran Singh (limited impact so far)
Also Check: Get The Best Fantasy Prediction From Cricket Experts
Favourite Team in Today Match – New Zealand
New Zealand are overwhelming favorites due to their superior squad depth, tournament momentum, and proven adaptability to Chepauk conditions. They have already secured two wins at this venue and understand how the surface behaves under lights. The batting unit is explosive at the top and stable in the middle, while the bowling attack covers both seam and spin effectively. Canada, by contrast, have struggled to build partnerships and take wickets in clusters.
New Zealand’s experience in ICC tournaments gives them a decisive edge. With qualification on the line, expect a focused and professional performance.
Why New Zealand?
- Explosive powerplay batting
- Strong spin resources for Chennai pitch
- Experienced middle-order anchors
- Better death-bowling control
New Zealand T20 History
| Matches Played | Won | Lost | No Result | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 254 | 131 | 111 | 11 | 0 |
New Zealand have maintained a consistent 50%+ win rate in T20Is, reflecting strong global competitiveness and ICC tournament pedigree.
Canada T20 History
| Matches Played | Won | Lost | No Result | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88 | 48 | 38 | 2 | 0 |
Canada have shown steady progress in T20 cricket, particularly against Associate nations, though consistency remains a challenge at major tournaments.
Head-to-Head Stats
| Total Matches | New Zealand Won | Canada Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
This is the first-ever T20 International meeting between New Zealand and Canada, adding a fresh dynamic to this Group D encounter.
Pitch Report
The M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai traditionally offers a balanced but slightly spin-friendly surface. Early overs may assist seamers with mild movement, but as the game progresses, the pitch tends to slow down and provide grip for spinners. Teams scoring above 155 generally hold a competitive advantage here. Dew in the second innings can make bowling difficult, which is why chasing sides often prefer to bowl first. Expect slower deliveries and variations to play a crucial role, particularly during the middle overs where spin could dictate the tempo of the match.
Weather Report (Match Day Insight)
Conditions in Chennai are expected to be hot and hazy on match day, with temperatures around 32°C during the match. Humidity levels will remain relatively high, which could test player endurance. There is minimal chance of rain, ensuring a full 20-over contest. Dew may develop later, slightly aiding the chasing side under lights.
Broadcast Details
The New Zealand vs Canada 31st T20 will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network in India. Live streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app and website. Fans can also follow live scores, ball-by-ball commentary, and match analytics through official ICC platforms and sports news portals covering the T20 World Cup 2026.
Toss Prediction
Considering Chepauk’s evening conditions and possible dew factor, the toss-winning captain is likely to bowl first. The surface tends to slow down as the match progresses, but dew can counteract spin in the second innings. Canada are predicted to win the toss and opt to field, hoping to restrict New Zealand below 160 and attempt a calculated chase under improved batting conditions.
Probable Batsman & Bowler
Tim Seifert stands out as the most probable top scorer for New Zealand given his outstanding strike rate and consistent powerplay dominance. Finn Allen is another strong candidate capable of a quick 40–60 run cameo. For Canada, Navneet Dhaliwal remains their most reliable batting option and could anchor the innings if early wickets fall.
In the bowling department, Matt Henry is likely to be New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker due to his ability to strike with the new ball and execute yorkers at the death. Mitchell Santner’s spin could be particularly effective in the middle overs on a turning surface. For Canada, Saad Bin Zafar will be their key bowling threat, especially if the pitch provides grip for slower bowlers.
New Zealand vs Canada Winning Chances?
| Team | Winning % | Why They Can Win | Why They May Struggle |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 89% | Strong top order, balanced attack, ICC experience | Overconfidence, middle-order inconsistency |
| Canada | 11% | Dependence on Dhaliwal & Thaker, spin support | Lack of depth, weak death bowling |
New Zealand’s superior squad depth and form justify their dominant probability. Canada require early breakthroughs and a near-perfect batting display to upset the odds.
Match Prediction
New Zealand possess overwhelming firepower in both batting and bowling departments. With qualification at stake and familiarity with Chepauk conditions, they are expected to control proceedings from the outset. Canada would need exceptional performances in both innings to challenge the Black Caps. Based on current form, squad balance, and match context, New Zealand are clear favorites.
Prediction: New Zealand Will Win
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
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