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T20 WC 2026: Black Caps Face Afghanistan in Chennai Opener
8 Feb
Summary
- New Zealand and Afghanistan begin their T20 World Cup campaigns on February 8th.
- The crucial Group D match is scheduled for MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
- Live coverage will be available on Star Sports Networks and Jio HotStar.
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is underway, and the much-anticipated clash between New Zealand and Afghanistan is scheduled for Sunday, February 8th. This critical Group D match will be held at the historic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with the toss taking place at 10:00 AM IST and the game commencing at 11:00 AM IST.
Both New Zealand and Afghanistan are strong contenders in Group D, which also includes South Africa. Their performances in this initial match will be vital for securing a top-two position and advancing to the Super 8s stage of the tournament.
The Black Caps' probable lineup includes Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, with key players like Glenn Phillips and captain Mitchell Santner expected to feature. Afghanistan's strong squad features Rahmanullah Gurbaz and their captain, Rashid Khan.
