T20 World Cup Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada and UAE Rated | Cricket News

We look at the sides in Group D – South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada and the UAE – for the T20 World Cup, live on Sky Sports from February 7 to March 8.

New Zealand

Best score: Runner-up (2021)
2024 result: Group stage
How did they qualify for 2026? Through the international T20 rankings
Head coach: Rob Walter

Squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi. Reserve: Ben Sears.

Players to watch: Dough for opening Find Allen was Mr Consistent for Perth Scorchers in the recent Big Bash League as he helped them win their sixth title this season.

His 466 runs came at an average of 42.36, including an impressive 101 off 53 balls, while he then plundered 80 off 38 deliveries in the recent T20I in India. The Black Caps will be hoping to repeat that form at the World Cup.

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi can play a vital role in the balance of the side. He struggled to make a significant impact in the recent T20 series against India, but then did little during the 4-1 defeat.

First round matches: against Afghanistan (Chennai, February 8); against the United Arab Emirates (Chennai, February 10); against South Africa (Ahmedabad, February 14); against Canada (Chennai, February 17).

South Africa

Best score: Runner-up (2024)
2024 result: Runners-up, lost to India by seven runs in the final
How did they qualify for 2026? Through their performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Head coach: Shukri Conrad

Squad: Aideram, Captain), Quinton do Coke, Dembard Brewis, Milkod Miller, Markov, Kost Java Messenger, Besoming Constitution,

Players to watch: Another hooray for an explosive opener Quinton de Kock How do you get out of an international pension? He has the ability to quickly take the game away from the opposition if he gets away from the first ball.

Another exciting dough is Dewald Brewiswho already has an impressive string of performances on big stages that he can use as experience. He scored 101 off just 56 balls, albeit in a losing effort, in the recent SA20 final.

First round matches: against Canada (Ahmedabad, February 9); against Afghanistan (Ahmedabad, February 11); against New Zealand (Ahmedabad, February 14); against the United Arab Emirates (Delhi, February 18).

Afghanistan

Best score: Semi-finalists (2024)
2024 result: Semi-final, lost to South Africa
How did they qualify for 2026? Through their performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Head coach: Jonathan Trott

Squad: Rashid Khan (captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Ishaq, Sedikulah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Nur Ahmad, Mujib Fazal Rahman, Fazal Rahman, Ahmadzai, Ziaur Rahman. Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Fareed Ahmad.

Players to watch: It’s hard to look at the past Rashid Khan. captain. Leader. A legend, to borrow the term used on the banner at Stamford Bridge. It’s amazing to think he’s still only 27, such is the weight of experience already under his belt. A potential match winner with the ball and the bat.

Noor Ahmed is a name that could become even more famous during The Hundred next summer when he returns to Manchester Super Giants, but also Rashid’s apprentice at just 21.

An exciting left-arm spinner who already has an impressive resume from franchise leagues around the world.

First round matches: against New Zealand (Chennai, February 8), against South Africa (Ahmedabad, February 11), against the United Arab Emirates (Delhi, February 16), against Canada (Chennai, February 19).

Canada

Best score: Group stage (2024)
2024 result: Group stage
How did they qualify for 2026? Made it through the qualifiers for the Americas.
Head coach: Ingleton Liburd

Squad: Dilpreet Bajwa (captain), Ajaiveer Hundal, Ansh Patel, Dillon Heiliger, Harsh Thaker, Jaskarandeep Buttar, Kaleem Sana, Kanwarpal Tathgur, Navneet Dhalival, Nicholas Kirton, Ravinderpal Singh, Sad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma M, Iura Iura, Shva.

Players to watch: Left-handed batsman born in Barbados Nicholas Kirton will slot into the middle order and has the pedigree of playing for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League. He scored 49 off 35 balls in Canada’s only win of 2024 against Ireland in New York.

Off-spinner Shivam Sharma she took 11 wickets at just 7.81 as Canada won all six of their matches in qualifying for America to reach the tournament.

First round matches: against South Africa (Ahmedabad, February 9); against the United Arab Emirates (Delhi, February 13); against New Zealand (Chennai, February 17) against Afghanistan (Chennai, February 19).

United Arab Emirates

Best score: Group stage (2014, 2022)
2024 result: He didn’t qualify
How did they qualify for 2026? Passed through the Asia-Pacific qualifiers
Head coach: Lalchand Rajput

Squad: Muhammad Wasim (captain), Alishan Sharafu, Ariansh Sharma, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Mayank Kumar, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farook, Muhammad Javadullah, Muhammad Khaib Khaib, Soha Rohide Khaib,

Players to watch: Captain and star batsman Muhammad Wasim has recently been in action for both MI Emirates on home soil as they finished runners-up in this year’s ILT20 and for Rajshahi Warriors in the Bangladesh Premier League where a couple of half-centuries helped him post a healthy batting average of 62.66.

Right hand seam bowler Junaid Siddiqui has more than 100 T20 international wickets to his name. He took to the new ball in the recent friendlies against Ireland, taking useful wickets in the powerplay as well.

First round matches: against New Zealand (Chennai, February 10); against Canada (Delhi, February 13); against Afghanistan (Delhi, February 16); against South Africa (Delhi, February 18).

Watch the Men’s T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports from 7th February to 8th March. Get Ski Sports or stream contract free with NOV.