New Zealand (NZ) to take Canada (CAN) in 31st match Group D, T20 WC 2026 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Feb 17, 2026. For both teams, winning this match is crucial to enter in the super eight stage. New Zealand won the previous two matches in this tournament on this pitch and for today’s winning NZ are favorite to win this match. Let’s break down expert analysis, betting tips, team performance, pitch report, and NZ vs CAN 31st T20 WC Match Prediction. Who will win today’s match?
Match Info
Match: NZ vs CAN | 31st Match | T20 World Cup 2026
Series: T20 World Cup 2026
Date: 17/02/2026
Time: 11:00 AM IST & Local | 05:30 AM GMT
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Streaming: Jio Hotstar & Star Sports Network
Team Performance
New Zealand: Team Preview & Performance
New Zealand currently stands at second position in group D with a net run rate of 0.701. They lost the winning streak in the last match against South Africa; the unbeaten record has come to an end. The top batters collapsed in the power play. Finn Allen made some quick runs of 31 runs in 17 balls, later in the middle order Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell partnership of 74 runs (44 balls).
This contribution was crucial and James Neesham’s support in the end; they scored a total of 175/7 in 20 overs. While chasing, NZ couldn’t stop South Africa batters who chased easily and trashed NZ bowlers. Lockie Ferguson, James Neesham and Rachin Ravindra all of them shared three wickets which was not enough and lost the match by 7 wickets.
Lockie Ferguson will be unavailable for this match as he has taken leave for personal reasons. Kyle Jamieson is likely to replace him in the line-up. Overall, NZ need to bounce back in this crucial match against Canada especially with bowling improvements. This win is crucial to play in super eight stages.
Canada: Team Preview & Recent Performance
Canada started this tournament with back to back losses. Now only this and another match have been left. Currently standing at the last in group D with a net run rate of negative 1.526. These remaining two matches are very crucial to win to play in the super eight stage. Now against New Zealand, winning this is important to them; they should bounce back and stop the losing streak.
Key batter Navneet Dhaliwal has been given tremendous outstanding scoring 34 runs in the previous match along with Harsh Thaker’s half century support, which was excellent. In the end they scored 150/7 in 20 overs. While following in the bowling, the bowlers fought well.
Saad Bin Zafar was the key bowler taking 3 wickets and collapsing the major batters along with Kaleem Sana and Jaskaran Singh who took one wicket each. Overall Canada performed well with a balanced team but need to be strong in the tournament, especially with batting needing to bounce stronger in this match against New Zealand.
Check: NZ vs CAN 31st Match Live Score
NZ vs CAN Today’s Match Weather Condition?
- Temperature: 30°C high and low 21°C
- Humidity: 61%
- Rain: 0%
- Wind direction: Northeast
- Wind speed: 11–15 km/h
NZ vs CAN Today’s Pitch Report & Toss Condition
The M. A. Chidambaram Stadium pitch for the New Zealand vs Canada match on February 17, 2026, is going to be dry and balanced. Spinners usually come into play more as the game moves forward on this surface.
Since it’s an 11:00 AM start, dew won’t be a factor, so the pitch will stay tacky throughout. This gives spinners a lot of help with grip and turn. Winning the toss is crucial here – batting first is definitely the way to go. The pitch gets slower and breaks up later, making chasing tough in the second innings. A score of 165-170 batting first should be competitive enough on this wicket.
NZ vs CAN – Head to Head in T20I Records
Total matches played: 0
NEW ZEALAND won: 0
CANADA won: 0
Tie/No Result: 0
First Ever T20 Match Between NZ vs CAN
Date: 17 February 2026
Venue: M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Result: Match scheduled for tomorrow
Recent Performance in T20Is
NEW ZEALAND: L-W-W-L-W
CANADA: L-L-W-W-W
NZ vs CAN Today’s Match Prediction
Today’s Match Prediction: NEW ZEALAND are favorites to win today’s 31st T20 WC match 2026. Looking at the pitch report and New Zealand have won their two previous match in this tournament, the team winning the toss elect to batting first, and our expert analysis gives NEW ZEALAND 80% chance of winning this match.
NZ vs CAN – Probable Playing XI (T20 WC 31st Match 2026)
New Zealand Predicted Playing 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.Ins: Kyle Jamieson. Out: Lockie Ferguson
Canada Predicted Playing 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.
Also, check live T20 WC match betting odds on trusted cricket betting sites.
NZ vs CAN – 31st Match Prediction (T20 WC 2026)
Scenario 1
Match toss prediction: New Zealand to win the toss and opt to bat first.
NEW ZEALAND scores: 175-185
Who will win today’s match: NEW ZEALAND to win today’s T20 WC 31st Match 2026.
Scenario 2
Match toss prediction: CANADA to win the toss and opt to bat first.
CANADA scores: 155-165
Who will win today’s match: New Zealand to win today’s T20 WC 31st Match 2026.
Read Also: Previous and Up coming Cricket Match Predictions
NZ vs CAN Betting Tips – 31st Match, T20 World Cup 2026
- Who will win the toss Today: NEW ZEALAND to win the toss and elect to Bat first.
- Top Batter Performance: Finn Allen
- Top Bowler Performance: Kyle Jamieson
- Today’s T20 match betting tips: NEW ZEALAND are safe bet to play today’s T20 WC 31st Match 2026.