Aiden Markram's unbeaten 86 made sure the Proteas got the much needed win as they become the first team to clinch qualification.
The Black Caps are expected to maintain their aggressive play in the powerplay while focusing on improving their ability to defend totals if needed.
With top spot in Group D at stake, it will be a high-intensity contest between New Zealand and South Africa in Ahmedabad
The winner of the New Zealand vs South Africa match will almost confirm their place in the Super 8 stage
With Super 8s qualification virtually assured, unbeaten New Zealand and South Africa will clash here on Saturday in what is shaping up as a straight fight for the top spot in their T20 World Cup group. Both teams have won their opening two matches, but through contrasting paths, setting up a contest that could determine not just Group D supremacy but also momentum heading into the Super 8s. New Zealand have looked clinical. After restricting Afghanistan to 182/6, they chased down the target in 17.5 overs, powered by Tim Seifert's 65 and brisk contributions from Glenn Phillips (42), Mark Chapman (28) and Daryl Mitchell (25 not out). Earlier, Seifert and Finn Allen had dismantled UAE in a 10-wicket win, overhauling 174 in just 15.2 overs. South Africa, meanwhile, have combined firepower with composure under pressure. They amassed 213/4 against Canada with skipper Aiden Markram striking 59 off 32, and David Miller (39 not out) and Tristan Stubbs (34 not out) finishing strongly befor
Calling contests against South Africa "fierce", New Zealand pacer Matt Henry on Friday said the long-standing rivalry between the two sides adds an extra dimension to their crucial T20 World Cup clash, which could potentially decide the group winner. Both New Zealand and South Africa approach the Saturday's game unbeaten in Group D. Matches between the Black Caps and the Proteas have often been tight, high-stakes affairs, and Henry acknowledged that history and sporting culture have played their part in shaping the rivalry. "You always want to play the best sides. Growing up, whether it was rugby or cricket, New Zealand versus South Africa were always the games you wanted to be part of. There's that natural competitive edge between the two countries and nothing changes in a World Cup," Henry said at the pre-match press conference. "It's a fierce competition and something we absolutely love being involved in." The Saturday's encounter could determine the group topper but Henry insi
Having debuted at 26 with a Player of the Match performance against Pakistan, Duffy's rise has been built on perseverance.
Afghanistan, despite their valiant performances, have been winless after two games in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Seifert and Allen surpass Hales and Buttler's record of an unbeaten 170-run stand set back in 2022.
With New Zealand and South Africa starting their campaigns with a win, it is the Kiwis who stay on top with back-to-back wins in the group.
New Zealand will look to continue their momentum in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 with a win against the UAE
The UAE, led by captain Muhammad Waseem, will be eager to make their mark in the T20 World Cup 2026.
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 action on Tuesday will start with the Netherlands taking on Namibia in Match 10 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi
ICC T20 World Cup HIGHLIGHTS: Earlier, New Zealand beat Afghanistan in the first Group D match of the event in Chennai
New Zealand, who lost their recent series against India 1-4, will aim to seek an early form revival in the tournament
New Zealand enter the Group D opener searching for momentum after an inconsistent build-up in the India series
The partnership has been launched with an interactive campaign titled Craziest Fan Kaun, which allows users to create personalised avatars using Gemini's image-generation capabilities
The first-ever instance of teams forfeiting matches in an ICC event was in 1996, when not just one but two teams - Australia and West Indies - refused to travel to Sri Lanka
Despite of starting his spell in the worst way possible and conceding 40 runs in the first 2 overs, the pacer produced a strong comeback, taking 2 wickets each in his remaining 2 overs.
India vs New Zealand highlights: Ishan Kishan (103 runs off 43 balls) was India's best player with the bat, while Arshdeep Sing,h with his spell of 5 for 51, was India's best player with the ball