New Zealand and Afghanistan are set to face off in Match 4 of the T20 World Cup 2026 on 8 February at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter in Group D. Widely regarded as the tournament’s “group of death”, Group D leaves little room for error, with even a single slip-up potentially proving costly in the race for qualification. As a result, this clash carries added significance, with both teams eager to gain early momentum in a fiercely competitive group.

Afghanistan will enter the contest on the back of their most successful T20 World Cup campaign in the previous edition, where they reached the semi-finals before being knocked out by South Africa. New Zealand, meanwhile, will be keen to bounce back after a disappointing group-stage exit last time, which followed a strong run across major tournaments, including finishing as runners-up in the 2021 T20 World Cup.

With both sides looking to make a strong start and stake an early claim for progression, the match could play a defining role in shaping Group D’s standings.

NZ vs AFG head-to-head:

The two sides have met only twice in T20 World Cup history, with both encounters producing contrasting outcomes. Their first meeting came in the 2021 edition, where New Zealand registered a comfortable eight-wicket win, asserting control early in the contest. That match was shaped by a disciplined bowling effort, with Trent Boult starring in a Player-of-the-Match performance.

The second clash took place at the 2024 T20 World Cup and marked a dramatic shift in the rivalry. On that occasion, Afghanistan stunned the Kiwis with a dominant bowling display, skittling New Zealand out for just 75 runs.

It was one of Afghanistan’s most emphatic victories on the world stage and underlined their growing threat in global tournaments.

NZ vs AFG head-to-head in T20Is:

Matches	New Zealand Won	Afghanistan Won	Tie	No Result
2	1	1	0	0

All-Time Top Performers:

Trent Boult stands out as the standout performer across meetings between the two sides, having claimed five wickets in their two encounters.

His numbers underline his dominance, with an exceptional economy rate of 4.87 and a remarkable bowling average of 7.80. Boult was instrumental in both matches, consistently setting the tone with the new ball and proving decisive whenever New Zealand needed early breakthroughs.

New Zealand vs Afghanistan in the last match:

In their most recent meeting at the 2024 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan produced a dominant all-round display.

Batting first, they put together a competitive total of 160, built around a stunning 80-run knock from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, with solid support from Ibrahim Zadran. The innings showcased Afghanistan’s growing batting maturity on the big stage.

New Zealand’s response never gained momentum, as they were bundled out for just 75 in a one-sided chase. Afghanistan’s bowlers ran riot, with Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid Khan claiming four wickets each, sealing one of the most emphatic victories in their history of the global 20-over tournament.

New Zealand vs Afghanistan in All Matches:

Date	Winner	Win margin	Venue
November 7, 2024	New Zealand	8 wickets	Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
June 7, 2024	Afghanistan	84 runs	Providence Stadium, Guyana