Afghanistan Faces New Zealand in T20 World Cup 2026 Opener
The Afghanistan national cricket team will play New Zealand in its first match of the 2026 T20 World Cup on Sunday, 19 Dalu 1404 (February 8, 2026), at 10:00 a.m. at Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India.
The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup runs from 18 Dalu to 17 Hut 1404, hosted by India and Sri Lanka, featuring 20 teams divided into four groups of five. Afghanistan is in Group 4 alongside New Zealand, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and Canada, with four group-stage matches scheduled.
Afghanistan's group-stage fixtures are:
1. Afghanistan vs. New Zealand: Sunday, 19 Dalu 1404, 10:00 a.m., Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
2. Afghanistan vs. South Africa: Wednesday, 22 Dalu 1404, 10:00 a.m., Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
3. Afghanistan vs. UAE: Monday, 27 Dalu 1404, 10:00 a.m., Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.
4. Afghanistan vs. Canada: Thursday, 30 Dalu 1404, 6:00 p.m., Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
In T20I world rankings, New Zealand is fourth, South Africa fifth, Afghanistan 10th, UAE 17th and Canada 19th. New Zealand has played 251 T20I matches, with 127 wins and 103 losses, and has participated in nine T20 World Cups, with its best result as runner-up in 2021. Afghanistan, a full ICC member since 2017, has 159 T20I matches, 96 wins and 60 losses, and has reached the semifinals of the previous edition in 2024.
New Zealand and South Africa are considered tougher opponents on paper, with Afghanistan needing at least one win against them to boost super-sixes chances, as UAE and Canada appear easier.
In other opening matches, India defeated the United States by 29 runs, scoring 161 for nine wickets, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav's 84; USA made 132 for eight. West Indies beat Scotland by 35 runs, posting 182 for five with Shimron Hetmyer's 64; Scotland was all out for 147 in 18.5 overs.
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