New Zealand survived a heart-stopping Canada match to reach the Super 8. A 19-year-old kid nearly pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament! But the Kiwis chased down 174 with remarkable ease in the end.
That eight-wicket win against Canada sealed their spot safely. Afghanistan got eliminated as a direct result of that outcome too. Now everyone’s curious about the Kiwis matches schedule ahead.
New Zealand Super 8 Matches and Opponents
| Match | Date | Opponents | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat, Feb 21, 2026 | TBC | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 7:00 PM |
| 2 | Wed, Feb 25, 2026 | Sri Lanka | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 7:00 PM |
| 3 | Fri, Feb 27, 2026 | England | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 7:00 PM |
Their first Super 8 match falls on February 21, 2026 against Pakistan. That opponent is still technically yet to officially qualify though currently. Pakistan versus New Zealand always delivers drama – these matches should be no different.
Then, Sri Lanka arrives on February 25 for another battle. Sri Lanka qualified after beating Australia, making them dangerous opponents obviously. These two sides always produce competitive matches that keep fans on edge.
England comes next on February 27 in their final game. Two-time winners England against tournament survivors – absolutely tasty matchup. That 2026 schedule finishes their campaign before potential semi-final action.
How New Zealand Booked Their Super 8 Spot
Canada made things incredibly uncomfortable for Kiwis at Chennai. 19-year-old Yuvraj Samra smashed the youngest century in Men’s T20 World Cup history! He scored 100 in just 58 balls by leaving bowlers completely stunned.
But Glen Phillips and Rachin Ravindra answered brilliantly during the chase. Their 146-run partnership destroyed Canada’s bowling with fluent stroke play throughout. Kiwis finished the chase in just 15.1 overs quite comfortably.
Captain Santner missed the matches while Lockie Ferguson skipped due to paternity leave. Despite those absences, Daryl Mitchell led the team impressively throughout. They showed genuine tournament pedigree by bouncing back from their South Africa defeat.
Can New Zealand Go Deep in 2026?
New Zealand’s schedule throws three quality opponents at them. Beating Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and England would be a seriously impressive achievement. Their Super 8 matches start February 21, 2026 giving them minimal preparation time honestly.
That chase against Canada showed their batting depth is genuinely frightening. Their campaign could surprise everyone if Phillips and Ravindra keep clicking. This Kiwi team has proven tournament pedigree that makes them dangerous opponents.
