New Zealand will face the United Arab Emirates in Match 11 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on February 10. The afternoon game begins at 3:00 PM IST and is an important Group D fixture.
New Zealand come into this match with confidence after a solid win in their opening game. UAE, on the other hand, will be playing their first match of the tournament and will look to challenge a strong opponent. While the Black Caps start as clear favourites, conditions in Chennai could bring spin into play and keep the contest interesting.
Match Details
| Match | NZ vs UAE, Match 11 |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | 10 February 2026 |
| Time | 3:00 PM IST |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Live Telecast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
Head-to-Head Record
New Zealand and UAE have faced each other three times in T20 Internationals. New Zealand hold the advantage overall, but UAE have managed to register a win in the past, showing they are capable of competing.
| Matches | NZ Wins | UAE Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 |
This will be their first meeting in a T20 World Cup.
Also see: NZ vs UAE Dream11 Prediction Today Match 11th
Chepauk Pitch Report – Spin Likely to Play a Big Role
The surface at the MA Chidambaram Stadium is known for being slow and assisting spinners. As the match progresses, the pitch tends to grip and turn, making stroke play difficult.
- Average first innings score: 160–170
- Chasing becomes tricky as the pitch slows down
- Day game means no dew factor
- Teams may prefer to bat first after winning the toss
New Zealand’s spin options, especially Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi, could be key on this surface.
Team Preview
New Zealand
New Zealand have a balanced squad with strong batting depth and quality bowling options. Players like Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips provide explosive power, while Santner’s leadership and all-round skills add stability. Their experience in global tournaments makes them strong contenders.
United Arab Emirates
UAE rely on discipline and team effort. Captain Muhammad Waseem will be crucial at the top, while their spin-heavy attack could suit Chennai conditions. However, facing a full-member team with greater depth will be a big challenge.
Also see: NZ vs UAE Toss Prediction Match 11th T20 World Cup 2026
Probable Playing XI
New Zealand:
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell/James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy
UAE:
Aryansh Sharma (wk), Muhammad Waseem (c), Muhammad Zohaib, Alishan Sharafu, Harshit Kaushik, Sohaib Khan, Dhruv Parashar, Muhammad Arfan, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah
Key Players to Watch
| Team | Players |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen |
| UAE | Muhammad Waseem, Junaid Siddique, Dhruv Parashar |
Match Prediction
New Zealand enter the match as strong favourites due to their experience, squad depth, and recent form. However, if UAE bat first and post a competitive total around 165–170, the slow Chennai pitch could create pressure.
Winning Probability:
- New Zealand: 85–90%
- UAE: 10–15%
This match will test UAE’s ability against a top international side, while New Zealand will look to strengthen their position in the group. The Chepauk surface is expected to keep bowlers in the game and could make this a tactical contest rather than a high-scoring one.
