Last Updated on 2 months ago by Charbel Coorey

After Pakistan vs Netherlands on Saturday, we could be in for another thriller on Sunday.

Afghanistan take on New Zealand in a high stakes game. Group D also contains contenders South Africa, so there is little room for error in a tough group, and both teams will be seeking the perfect start in Chennai.

The Black Caps are coming off a tough 4-1 series loss against India, but the experience gained from such an assignment can hold them in good stead. This includes a hastening fifth T20I where they conceded a mammoth 271/5 in Thiruvananthapuram, but they could be welcoming back key personnel in their quest for a white-ball ICC title.

Afghanistan are one of the teams to watch, with many fans and pundits considering them as a dark horse in this World Cup. They enjoyed two wins out of two in their warm-up matches, soon after beating West Indies 2-1 in a T20I series last month.

Also, the Afghans thumped New Zealand by 84 runs in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Batting first in this day game in Chennai could prove crucial, and Afghanistan will back themselves defending a total esepcially as power batting is one potential area of concern for Rashid Khan’s team.

T20 World Cup 2026 4th Match: NZ vs AFG Possible Playing XIs

Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra were struggling with illness a few days ago. It remains to be seen if either is available for selection here.

New Zealand: 1. Finn Allen, 2. Tim Seifert (wk), 3. Rachin Ravindra, 4. Glenn Phillips, 5. Mark Chapman, 6. Daryl Mitchell, 7. Mitchell Santner (c), 8. James Neesham/Jacob Duffy, 9. Matt Henry, 10. Lockie Ferguson, 11. Ish Sodhi

Afghanistan: 1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2. Ibrahim Zadran, 3. Sediqullah Atal, 4. Darwish Rasooli, 5. Azmatullah Omarzai, 6. Gulbadin Naib, 7. Mohammad Nabi, 8. Rashid Khan (c), 9. Noor Ahmad, 10. Mujeeb Ur Rahman/Naveen-ul-Haq/Fazalhaq Farooqi, 11. Ziaur Rahman 

MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai Pitch Report and Weather

There isn’t too much of a difference between pace and spin at Chepauk in recent years. Since the start of 2024, pace bowlers have taken 127 wickets in all T20s here at an average of 25.32 and economy of 8.66. Spinners have taken 71 wickets at a near identical average of 25.33 but lower economy of 7.38.

In the last two years of the IPL, the average first innings score at Chepauk is 167. The chasing team won 10 of the 15 matches. However, expect conditions to be different with this match starting at 11am local time.

A clear, humid day is forecast with a top of 29 degrees.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for AFG vs NZ T20 World Cup 2026 4th Match: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Finn Allen is in career-best form. In eight T20s this year, Allen has smashed 397 runs at an average of 49.6 and strike rate of 186.4. His strike rate increases to 190.5 against spin.
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit 80 off 56 balls in the 2024 World Cup match against New Zealand. Gurbaz is in decent touch with scores of 71 (T20I) and 43 (warm-up) in his last two knocks.

Key batter picks:

• Ibrahim Zadran looked in solid form in the recent series against West Indies. He struck 137 runs at an average of 68.50 and strike rate of 137.00. Since the start of 2024, Zadran is averaging 39.4 with a strike rate of 125.5 batting first in T20Is (787 runs) compared to 28.6/101.3 batting second (315 runs).
• Daryl Mitchell played nicely in the recent India series despite batting lower down the order (125 runs, SR 186.56). He is one of New Zealand’s key players against spin, with 592 runs vs spinners in all T20s since the start of 2024 (avg. 42.3, SR 137).

Top all-rounder picks:

• Azmatullah Omarzai comes into this match in decent form with 35 (15) in the warm-up against West Indies and 3/14 in the other warm-up against Scotland. He offers outstanding fantasy value as he typically bats in the top five and offers at least 2-3 overs.
• Glenn Phillips hit the most runs for New Zealand in the recent series against India (176) at an average of 35.20 and strike rate of 153.04. He can also provide a role with the ball, but Afghanistan have a right-hander heavy lineup.
• Speaking of right-hander lineups, Mitchell Santner will be a big factor in this match. He is also in good form with the bat having struck 105 runs at a strike rate of 161.53 against India.

Key bowler picks:

• Rashid Khan is aiming to rediscover his best form but he still provides strong value in fantasy cricket. He has experience at Chepauk (8 inns, 10 wickets, avg. 24.2, SR 19.2), took 4/17 in the 2024 T20 World Cup against New Zealand, and can provide a cameo with the bat.
• Matt Henry will be crucial in the powerplay. He has dismissed Ibrahim Zadran once in 11 balls in T20Is (13 runs). He has also got the better of Rahmanullah Gurbaz in ODIs (11 balls, nine runs, one wicket).

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Tim Seifert is key in the powerplay for New Zealand. The opener has had a bit of a quiet 2026 so far (226 runs, avg. 20.5, SR 137.8), but his recent half-century in the fourth T20I against India highlights his threat.
• Darwish Rasooli top-scored in the recent AFG-WI series (156 runs) at an average of 52.00 and strike rate of 150. This included two fifties. He also struck 84 (46) in the recent warm-up against Scotland.
• Lockie Ferguson is short on cricket in recent times but is a genuine wicket-taker. He is worth a pick.
• Noor Ahmad is selected in 24.09% of Dream11 teams. He can be an excellent differential choice given he has 13 wickets in seven T20s at Chepauk at a strike rate of 11.5 (avg. 16).
• Mohammad Nabi was in the wickets and scored 34 (16) in the warm-ups. Afghanistan could look to use the veteran against New Zealand’s left-handers Ravindra, Chapman and Santner.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 3, New Zealand 1, Afghanistan 1, N/R 1.
• Finn Allen is striking at 218.3 against spin in all T20s since the start of 2025.
• Daryl Mitchell in T20s at Chepauk: 7 inns, 157 runs, avg. 31.4, SR 138.9.
• Rashid Khan vs Daryl Mitchell in all T20s: 12 balls, 25 runs, no wickets.
• Rashid Khan vs Rachin Ravindra in all T20s: Four balls, six runs, one wicket.
• Matt Henry vs Ibrahim Zadran in all T20s: 11 balls, 13 runs, one wicket.

T20 World Cup 2026 4th Match: NZ vs AFG Dream11 Prediction Today

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

T20 World Cup 4th Match: NZ vs AFG Prediction – Who will win?

A tough match to call as New Zealand have more batting power while Afghanistan can be a big threat at Chepauk. The Black Caps’ batting strength could see them prevail in this encounter.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, and Cricmetric.