Matchday Preview: Giant slayers Afghanistan take on NZ as ENG, SL kick off campaigns

After an action-packed opening day, the second day of the T20 World Cup 2026 promises even more excitement for fans, with three riveting encounters lined up. The first fixture of the day will see New Zealand and Afghanistan go head-to-head in Chennai.

The second match will feature two-time champions England as they begin their campaign against Nepal in Mumbai. The final match of the day will pit co-hosts Sri Lanka against Ireland in Colombo.

While former champions England and Sri Lanka headline the fixtures, all eyes will be firmly on the opening clash between Afghanistan and New Zealand, especially after the Afghans got the better of the Kiwis in the previous edition.

When and where to watch

New Zealand vs Afghanistan in Chennai in a Group D match at 11 am IST.

England vs Nepal in Mumbai in a Group C match at 3 pm IST.

Sri Lanka vs Ireland in Colombo in a Group B match at 7 pm IST.

All matches will be telecast on Star Sports, with live streaming available on JioHotstar.

Here’s a quick preview of the three games on Day 2 of the T20 World Cup.

MATCH 1 Prediction: New Zealand vs Afghanistan in Chennai

New Zealand enter the tournament after enduring a 1-4 series defeat against India away from home. However, the Black Caps are unlikely to read too much into their pre-tournament preparations, as they are renowned for raising their game in major ICC events. The Mitchell Santner-led side will be eager to make a winning start against dark horses Afghanistan, who have troubled them in the past.

New Zealand warmed up for the tournament with a narrow seven-run victory over the USA, with Tim Seifert and Matt Henry starring for the side. Having been knocked out in the first stage of the previous edition, the Kiwis will be keen to bounce back strongly and rediscover their ‘silent killers’ mode.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan booked their place in the tournament after qualifying for the Super 8 stage of the 2024 edition. They come into the competition carrying strong form, having beaten Zimbabwe, Qatar and West Indies in bilateral series. The Rashid Khan-led side further hammered Scotland and West Indies comfortably in the warm-up games, sending strong warning signals to the rest of the teams.

The Afghans stunned the Kiwis in the previous edition, defeating them by 84 runs and knocking them out in the group stage itself. As a result, the upcoming fixture promises to be a mouth-watering contest, with New Zealand eyeing revenge while Afghanistan look to pose yet another major threat to the Black Caps.

Pitch Report

The surface at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai has traditionally been a paradise for spinners. With both teams boasting skilful tweakers in their squads, it is expected to be an evenly matched contest. Notably, Afghanistan stunned Pakistan at this venue during the ODI World Cup 2023 and will look to replicate that performance once again.

Meanwhile, only three T20Is have been played at the venue so far, with teams chasing winning on two occasions. The average first-innings score stands at 171, while the highest successful chase is 182. A score in the range of 170-190 could prove to be a winning total for sides batting first.

Team News (Predicted Playing XIs)

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ziaur Rahman

New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi

MATCH 2 Prediction: England vs Nepal in Mumbai

England enter the tournament on the back of consecutive series victories against Ireland, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Their emphatic 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka away from home earned widespread praise, particularly after they successfully defended a modest total of 128 in the final fixture at Pallekele.

The Harry Brook-led side has almost all bases covered, boasting a well-rounded squad packed with several match-winners. However, their batters’ struggles against spin could prove to be a concern as the tournament progresses. England will be aiming for a comfortable victory in their opening match and to collect two points without much difficulty.

On the other hand, Nepal qualified for the tournament by winning the T20 World Cup 2026 Asia Qualifiers. They arrive in good form, having won both of their warm-up fixtures against UAE and Canada. While the Rohit Paudel-led side may not appear threatening on paper, they came agonisingly close to defeating South Africa in the previous edition, losing a thrilling encounter by just one run.

As a result, taking Nepal lightly would be akin to flirting with danger for the Three Lions. Nepal boast several quality spinners in their line-up, who could prove effective on surfaces that aid turn.

Pitch Report

While the Wankhede surface is traditionally known as a batting paradise, it played a double bluff with hosts India in the opening game. The pitch, which initially looked flat, turned out to be a slow and two-paced wicket, with batters struggling with shot-making from the very start.

If similar conditions prevail for the second match, Nepal’s bowlers could enjoy assistance from the surface and may once again expose England’s travails against spin.

Team News (Predicted Playing XIs)

England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood

Nepal: Aasif Sheikh (wk), Kushal Bhurtel, Rohit Paudel (c), Sundeep Jora, Lokesh Bam, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Aarif Sheikh, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamicchane

MATCH 3 Prediction: Sri Lanka vs Ireland in Colombo

Co-hosts Sri Lanka head into the tournament after being whitewashed 0-3 by England. The Lankan Lions have endured a forgettable run since the last T20 World Cup, having won just two of the ten series they have played, with victories coming only against West Indies and Zimbabwe.

The Dasun Shanaka-led side may not have been a formidable T20I outfit in recent times. However, it would be foolish to take them lightly in home conditions. Notably, Sri Lanka have reached the final of every ICC event hosted on their soil. As a result, they will once again start as favourites despite being knocked out in the first stage of the previous edition.

Ireland, meanwhile, qualified for the tournament based on their T20I rankings. They come into the event after registering series wins against Italy and UAE. The Irish were eliminated in the first stage of the previous edition as well, finishing bottom of Group A without registering a single victory.

Their biggest win in the history of the tournament came against England in the 2022 edition. Ireland have historically put up spirited fights but have struggled with consistency. The Paul Stirling-led side will be hoping to spring a few major upsets in the upcoming edition.

Pitch Report

The pitch at the R Premadasa Stadium has historically been spin-friendly, with tweakers enjoying considerable assistance. Of the last 12 matches played at the venue, ten have been won by teams batting second. The average first-innings score across the last five matches stands at 130, while the highest successful chase has been 174. Therefore, captains winning the toss are likely to opt to bowl first, keeping the past record in mind.

Team News (Predicted Playing XIs)

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana

Ireland: Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, Benjamin Calitz, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys

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