NZ vs CAN Today Match Prediction — It’s a big morning in Chennai! Today, February 17, 2026, New Zealand takes on Canada in Match 31 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the historic M.A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk). For the Black Caps, a win here almost locks their Super 8 spot. Canada, the underdogs, will fight hard to cause an upset.
If you’re looking for NZ vs CAN Today Match Prediction and NZ vs CAN Dream11 Prediction – T20 World Cup 2026 31st Match, you’re in the right place. Let’s break it down simply and clearly so you’re ready for the 11:00 AM IST start.
NZ vs CAN Match Details
- Match: New Zealand vs Canada, Match 31, Group D
- Date & Time: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 – 11:00 AM IST
- Venue: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai
- Live Streaming & Broadcast: Star Sports Network & Disney+ Hotstar
NZ vs CAN Pitch & Weather Report – Chepauk, Chennai
Chepauk has surprised everyone this tournament — it’s been a high-scoring venue! First-innings totals have ranged between 170 and 195.
- Pitch nature: Balanced early, slows down later with good turn for spinners
- Key phase: Middle overs — spin becomes very important
- Toss decision: Most captains will choose to bat first to avoid facing a slower, grippier track in the second innings
- Weather: Mostly sunny and hot, around 30°C. Zero chance of rain — full game expected
NZ vs CAN Head-to-Head Records
This is a fresh rivalry — the two teams have never played a T20 International before.
| Total Matches | NZ Won | CAN Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
First meeting ever — everything starts from zero at Chepauk!
NZ vs CAN Probable Playing 11
New Zealand (NZ) Finn Allen Tim Seifert (wk) Rachin Ravindra Glenn Phillips Mark Chapman Daryl Mitchell Mitchell Santner (c) James Neesham Matt Henry Kyle Jamieson Jacob Duffy
Canada (CAN) 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
Note: Lockie Ferguson is unavailable for New Zealand due to parental leave.
NZ vs CAN Dream11 Prediction & Fantasy Tips
Fantasy players, this match offers lots of points. Here’s a strong suggested team:
- Wicket-keeper: Tim Seifert (C) – leading run-scorer in the tournament with strike rate near 180
- Batters: Finn Allen (VC), Mark Chapman, Navneet Dhaliwal
- All-rounders: Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Harsh Thaker, Saad Bin Zafar
- Bowlers: Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Ansh Patel
Top Captaincy Picks
- Safe: Tim Seifert (form + opening slot)
- Differential: Mitchell Santner (knows Chepauk well from IPL experience)
Quick Tip: Load up on New Zealand top-order batters and spinners — the pitch will help Santner and Ravindra control the middle overs.
NZ vs CAN Today Match Prediction
New Zealand is the clear favorite. Even after a recent loss to South Africa, their experience in big ICC events shines through. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert can give explosive starts, Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman add firepower, and the bowling attack — led by Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Mitchell Santner — is very strong.
Canada has shown heart and some good performances, but they’ve struggled for consistency against top teams. Their batting relies heavily on a couple of players, and facing New Zealand’s quality attack on a turning Chepauk track will be very tough.
Predicted Winner: New Zealand (comfortable favorites)
This NZ vs CAN Today Match Prediction looks one-sided on paper, but T20 cricket loves surprises. Tune in at 11:00 AM IST — grab your breakfast, settle in, and enjoy the action. Who do you think will shine brightest today — Tim Seifert’s big hitting or Santner’s spin magic? Drop your thoughts in the comments — let’s chat while we watch!
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of this content. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk.
Team Cricket Duniya is a dedicated group of sports and entertainment writers specializing in cricket news, match previews, reviews, and in-depth analysis. With strong domain expertise and a passion for the game, the team delivers accurate, timely, and well-researched content covering international cricket, domestic tournaments, and trending sports stories. Alongside cricket, the team also covers key developments in sports entertainment, ensuring readers receive reliable insights and engaging coverage from the world of sports and entertainment.
