Chennai/Mumbai/Colombo, Feb 7 (.) The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 continues with a triple-header on Sunday, featuring New Zealand vs Afghanistan, England vs Nepal, and Sri Lanka vs Ireland, as teams look to gain early momentum in the group stage of the global tournament.
In Chennai, New Zealand will face Afghanistan in Match 4 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, with the contest scheduled to begin at 11:00 am IST. New Zealand enter the game as favorites but are wary of Afghanistan’s proven ability to upset higher-ranked teams, particularly on spin-friendly surfaces.
The Chepauk pitch, known for assisting spin, is expected to suit Afghanistan’s bowling attack, led by Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad.
Afghanistan’s batting will revolve around Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and the in-form Darwish Rasooli.
New Zealand, meanwhile, will depend on early runs from Finn Allen and Tim Seifert and middle-order firepower from Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway.
With the average first-innings score at the venue around 171, teams batting first are likely to target close to 180. The toss is expected to favour batting, given the surface tends to slow down as the match progresses.
Later in the afternoon, England take on Nepal in Match 5 of Group C at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, with the start scheduled for 3:00 PM IST.
England, ranked third in the ICC Men’s T20I rankings, begin their campaign as one of the tournament favourites after recent series wins against New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
Phil Salt has been in outstanding form at the top of the order, while Jos Buttler and Harry Brook add depth to a powerful batting lineup.
Nepal, making their first-ever T20I appearance against England, qualified for the World Cup by winning all their matches in the Asia & EAP Qualifier. They will rely heavily on leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane with the ball.
The Wankhede surface is expected to favour batting, with evening dew making chasing a preferred option. England are overwhelming favourites to start their campaign with a convincing win.
In Colombo, Sri Lanka, will host Ireland in an evening encounter at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, starting at 7:00 PM local time. Sri Lanka come into the match looking to recover from a recent home series whitewash against England but will draw confidence from their perfect T20I record against Ireland.
Kusal Mendis has been Sri Lanka’s most consistent batsman in recent matches, while Pathum Nissanka is expected to provide stability at the top.
Ireland’s key hopes rest on experienced campaigners Paul Stirling and Harry Tector.
The Premadasa pitch is expected to be slow and turn-friendly, with chasing sides having won each of the last five T20Is at the venue. Overcast conditions and the possibility of showers could influence tactics, with captains likely to opt to bowl first.
Across all three fixtures, conditions, toss decisions and match-ups between power hitters and spin attacks are expected to play a decisive role as the World Cup gathers momentum on its opening weekend.
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