Chennai’s iconic M. A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) sets the stage for a classic full-member versus associate clash as New Zealand takes on the United Arab Emirates in the eleventh match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The Kiwis, fresh off a commanding five-wicket victory over Afghanistan, are high on confidence and eager to solidify their Super 8 spot. The UAE, however, carries a fascinating piece of history: a stunning 7-wicket victory over New Zealand in 2023, proving they are capable of a giant-killing act. Despite this, recent form tells a different story, with the UAE struggling for wins. This match presents a formidable challenge for the Associate side against a balanced and in-form New Zealand unit, making the Kiwis clear favorites but adding a layer of intrigue from the past.
New Zealand vs United Arab Emirates Win Probability
RCBW vs DCW Batting Tips
NZ vs UAE, Group D T20 World Cup 2026 11th Match Details
| Match | ICC T20 World Cup 2026, 11th Match, Group D |
| Date | Tuesday, February 10, 2026 |
| Time | 03:00 PM (IST) |
| Venue | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Live Streaming (TV) | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming (Mobile) | JioHotstar |
NZ vs UAE Team Form – Who Will Win Today’s Match?
New Zealand
New Zealand’s form is positive (W, W, L, W, L), highlighted by a convincing opening World Cup win. Their key strength is a deep and explosive batting lineup. Finn Allen (SR 166) and Tim Seifert (65 in opener) provide firepower at the top, followed by the middle-order muscle of Glenn Phillips (SR 156 this season) and Daryl Mitchell. The bowling is equally potent, with the pace of Lockie Ferguson (2 wickets last game) and the strategic spin of Mitchell Santner, perfectly suited to Chepauk. Their psychological edge is momentum and the confidence from a successful chase in the same conditions.
UAE
The UAE’s form is a major concern, with a string of losses (L, L, L, L, L) including defeats to Ireland and losses in warm-ups. Their strength is a disciplined bowling attack that took wickets against Ireland, featuring Haider Ali and Junaid Siddique. The batting relies heavily on captain Muhammad Waseem and the in-form Aryansh Sharma (77 runs vs Ireland). Their realistic objective is to compete fiercely, hope their bowlers can contain, and aim for a competitive total. The key challenge is overcoming a significant gulf in power-hitting and experience against a top side.
NZ vs UAE 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, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy.
UAE Probable XI-
Muhammad Waseem (C), Aryansh Sharma (WK), Sohaib Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Dhruv Parashar, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Arfan, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah.
NZ vs UAE Head-to-Head Record
| Total Match Played | 03 |
| NZ Won | 02 |
| UAE Won | 01 |
| Draw/No Result | 00 |
NZ vs UAE Pitch Report
The Chepauk pitch in Chennai is balanced but traditionally favors spin. It starts as a good batting surface during the powerplay but slows down considerably as the game progresses, with increasing grip and turn for spinners. Batsmen need to capitalize early. A first innings score between 170-180 is considered strong, with teams batting first aiming for 180-190. Chasing can be tricky on the slowing surface.
NZ vs UAE Weather Report
Conditions will be typically hot and dry in Chennai, with clear skies and no chance of rain. Temperatures will be around 27°C during the match, cooling slightly later. The heat and humidity could be a factor for players, especially those not acclimatized.
NZ vs UAE Toss Prediction
The captain winning the toss will likely choose to bat first. This is a well-established strategy at Chepauk for afternoon matches, as the pitch tends to slow down in the second innings, making run-chasing more difficult. Setting a total is the preferred option.
NZ vs UAE Match Prediction
New Zealand are favorites to win this match. While the UAE’s 2023 victory serves as a cautionary tale, New Zealand’s current form, squad depth, and adaptability to conditions make them overwhelming favorites. The Kiwis have power-hitters who can capitalize on the early pace and experienced players to navigate the middle-overs slowdown. The UAE’s batting lacks the firepower to consistently challenge a quality attack like New Zealand’s on this track. Expect a comfortable New Zealand victory, barring a catastrophic collapse or an extraordinary individual performance from the UAE.
NZ vs UAE Dream11 Team
- Wicketkeeper: Tim Seifert, Aryansh Sharma
- Batters: Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips, Muhammad Waseem
- All-rounders: Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra
- Bowlers: Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Haider Ali
Captain (C) Pick: Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen.
Vice-Captain (VC) Pick: Tim Seifert, Mitchell Santner.
