Dubbed the "group of death," Group D in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 assembles a fierce lineup of 2024 semi-finalists Afghanistan and South Africa alongside perennial contenders New Zealand, and qualifiers Canada and UAE.
Hosted across Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Delhi, the matches will challenge teams on pitches that vary from spin-friendly to seam-assisting, demanding tactical versatility in batting, bowling, and fielding. With the top two advancing to the Super 8 stage, this group could produce nail-biting finishes, especially given Afghanistan's rise and New Zealand's consistency in global events.
T20 WC 2026 Group D Teams and Key Players
South Africa: Aiden Markram captains a balanced Proteas squad blending explosive batting and lethal pace. Veteran Quinton de Kock provides aggressive
starts at the top, while David Miller and Tristan Stubbs excel as finishers in the middle order. The bowling attack is spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje's express pace, complemented by Lungi Ngidi's swing and Keshav Maharaj's crafty left-arm spin. All-rounders like Marco Jansen and Dewald Brevis add depth, with emerging talents such as Kwena Maphaka bringing youthful energy. South Africa's strength lies in their power-hitting and ability to adapt to subcontinental conditions, though consistency in high-pressure chases remains key.
New Zealand: Led by spin all-rounder Mitchell Santner, the Black Caps emphasize disciplined cricket with a mix of experience and flair. Openers Finn Allen and Devon Conway set solid foundations, while Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell offer middle-order firepower. The pace department features Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry's speed, with Ish Sodhi's leg-spin providing variety alongside Santner's orthodoxy.
Afghanistan: Rashid Khan's captaincy anchors a squad renowned for mystery spin and resilient batting. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provide explosive starts, with Mohammad Nabi's experience stabilizing the middle order alongside Azmatullah Omarzai's all-round contributions. The bowling unit is world-class, featuring Rashid's leg-spin wizardry, Mujeeb Ur Rahman's off-spin, Noor Ahmad's variations, and Fazalhaq Farooqi's left-arm pace.
Canada: Under Dilpreet Bajwa's leadership, Canada relies on associate cricket grit and key performers from global leagues. Navneet Dhaliwal and Nicholas Kirton anchor the batting, with Shreyas Movva's wicketkeeping adding stability. Bowlers like Kaleem Sana's left-arm pace and Saad Bin Zafar's spin lead the attack, supported by all-rounders Harsh Thaker and Dilon Heyliger.
UAE: Muhammad Waseem captains a determined unit with a focus on disciplined play. Batters like Alishan Sharafu and Aryansh Sharma provide solidity, while all-rounders Muhammad Farooq and Harshit Kaushik offer versatility. The bowling features Junaid Siddique's seam and Muhammad Jawadullah's pace, with spinners like Haider Ali adding control.
T20 World Cup 2026 Group D Schedule
February 8: New Zealand vs Afghanistan, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (11:00 AM)
February 9: South Africa vs Canada, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad (7:00 PM)
February 10: New Zealand vs UAE, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (3:00 PM)
February 11: South Africa vs Afghanistan, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad (11:00 AM)
February 13: Canada vs UAE, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi (3:00 PM)
February 14: New Zealand vs South Africa, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad (7:00 PM)
February 15: Afghanistan vs UAE, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi (11:00 AM)
February 16: New Zealand vs Canada, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (11:00 AM)
February 17: South Africa vs UAE, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi (11:00 AM)
February 19: Afghanistan vs Canada, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (7:00 PM)
T20 World Cup 2026 Group D Prediction
South Africa is predicted to top the group with their pace edge, New Zealand are set to emerge as the 2nd placed team. Afghanistan are also set to play a crucial part and they would be desperate to stamp their authority.
Who will advance to Super 8s?
South Africa, New Zealand.
