In Match 11 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, New Zealand will face off against the United Arab Emirates at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

New Zealand’s T20 World Cup opener ended in a solid five-wicket win against Afghanistan. The Chennai surface was tricky for the batters, with spinners dominating early on, but the Black Caps handled the conditions expertly, ensuring they reached the target without any drama. With a victory under their belt, they’ll look to keep the momentum going and push for another win to stay firmly in control of the group.

UAE will make their long-awaited return to the T20 World Cup for the first time since 2020, having missed out on qualifying for the 2024 edition. They are the 20th team to claim their spot in the tournament and will be led by Muhammad Waseem. With players like Dhruv Parashar, Aryansh Sharma, Alishan Sharafu, and Simranjeet Singh in their ranks, they’ll be looking to make a statement in their opening game against the formidable New Zealand team.

NZ vs UAE Match Details

NZ vs UAE head-to-head records in T20I

New Zealand and the UAE have locked horns three times in T20 cricket, with the Black Caps emerging victorious in two of those matches. The UAE, however, has secured one win. Despite these encounters, this will be the first time the two teams meet in the ICC T20 World Cup.

Pitch Report

The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is renowned for its spin-friendly conditions, which typically favor the bowlers, particularly the spinners. However, batters have shown that with the right application, they can score runs and thrive on this pitch. In the opening T20 World Cup game at this venue, spinners dominated, but disciplined batting can still lead to big scores.

NZ vs UAE Probable Best Performers

Key batter to watch out for: Tim Seifert
Tim Seifert is likely to be the player to watch in this clash. He played a crucial knock of 65 off 42 balls in New Zealand’s T20 World Cup opener against Afghanistan, showcasing his red-hot form. Seifert has racked up 2,018 runs in 82 T20 matches, maintaining a blistering strike rate of 143.84. His role at the top of the order will be vital for New Zealand to set a strong foundation.

Key bowler to watch out for: Mitchell Santner

Mitchell Santner could be the game-changer with the ball in this match. While he didn’t pick up a wicket in the opener against Afghanistan, his economy rate was impressive. In 128 T20 matches, Santner has claimed 135 wickets at a tight economy rate of 7.25. With the spin-friendly conditions in Chennai, his four-over spell will be vital, and his precision could prove crucial for the New Zealand.

NZ vs UAE Match Prediction ICC T20 World Cup 2026

New Zealand is expected to win, but the UAE could put up a fight, especially if their spinners can capitalize on the conditions. New Zealand’s depth in both batting and bowling should give them the edge, but the UAE will be determined to make a strong start to their campaign.

NZ vs UAE Probable XIs

New Zealand: Finn Allen,Mitchell Santner (c), Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, James Neesham, Jacob Duffy

United Arab Emirates:Aryansh Sharman (wk), Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Zohaib, Muhammad Arfan, Junaid Siddique, Sohaib Khan, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Jawadullah.

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