NZ vs CAN Prediction Match 31- Who Will Win Today? ICC T20 World Cup 2026

NZ vs CAN is on February 17 [Source: Visharad_KW22, canadiancricket/X.com]

New Zealand takes on Canada in their final group stage match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on February 17 at 11 AM (IST).

Previously, they have beaten Afghanistan and the UAE in the tournament before suffering a loss against South Africa on Saturday. In this game, they will aim to collect 2 more points to seal their Super 8 qualification, with in-form Tim Seifert and Finn Allen leading the charge from the top. With the ball, Lockie Ferguson has been the pick of the bowlers in 3 matches so far.

Canada have lost both their matches to South Africa and UAE so far; however, remain alive in the competition. They will have to win this clash against the Kiwis, followed by another win over Afghanistan, and then rely on the net run-rate to qualify. 

The experienced Navneet Dhaliwal, Saad Bin Zafar and Ansh Patel have been their best players in respective departments.

NZ vs CAN current form

Both New Zealand and Canada have a similar form in the last five T20Is. They have won 3 and lost 2 in their five matches played each.

NZ vs CAN player battles

Tim Seifert vs Kaleem Sana

Tim Seifert has been in the form of his life in recent months, spent in India. Currently, he is the leading run-scorer of the tournament with 167 runs in 3 innings at a strike rate of 179.56. As an opening bowler, the onus will be on the left-arm quick, Kaleem Sana, to get an early breakthrough of Seifert before he unleashes against the Canadian attack.

Navneet Dhaliwal vs Mitchell Santner

The most experienced Canada batter, Naveneet Dhaliwal, is already their best batter in the tournament with a 64 vs South Africa and a 34 against the UAE. Their batting line-up bats around him, and in the middle overs, Mitchell Santner's left-arm orthodox is a good matchup against the batter. An early wicket here could help NZ run through their batting.

Glenn Phillips vs Ansh Patel

Another Blackcaps player in form is Glenn Phillips, who has not had too much time in the middle in this tournament. 

If he is needed to come out and bat, he can create a quick impact against Canada in the middle and death overs. Left-arm spinner Ansh Patel will operate in this phase of play and could be a key to dismissing Phillips early after his 3/31 vs South Africa.

New Zealand vs Canada top performers

The Blackcaps have never faced Canada in T20I cricket previously. Hence, no head-to-head record exists.

NZ vs CAN toss prediction

Four matches of this ongoing competition have been played in Chennai, and the team batting first has won two and lost two. The Chepauk surface has provided help to the batters, and the average scoring rate across matches has been 9.25.

The pitch is not expected to turn square, and considering it's a day game, the batting will get easier as the match progresses. The team winning the toss would like to bowl first.

NZ vs CAN 1st innings score prediction

Powerplay- 45/2

End of the innings- 176/6

NZ vs CAN 2nd innings score prediction

Powerplay- 65/0

End of the innings- 180/4

NZ vs CAN top players prediction

New Zealand top players' prediction

Probable best batters

Tim Seifert, Finn Allen

Probable best bowlers

Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy

Canada top players' prediction

Probable best batters

Navneet Dhaliwal, Yuvraj Samra

Probable best bowlers

Ansh Patel, Saad Bin Zafar

Who will score the most sixes in NZ vs CAN Match 31?

Finn Allen

Who will score the most fours in NZ vs CAN Match 31?

Tim Seifert

NZ vs CAN match winner prediction: Who will win Match 31?

The Super 8 spot is on the line for the Kiwis and the form they have been in suggests they should seal it with ease against the North Americans. It will be important for some key Canadian players to step up and perform extraordinarily to stand a chance against New Zealand. However, looking at the quality of the teams, NZ will clinch the game convincingly.