Source: Radio New Zealand
Black Caps celebrate a wicket Photosport
The Black Caps have been grouped with South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada and UAE for this summer’s T20 World Cup.
New Zealand are currently fourth in the world T20 rankings, one place ahead of South Africa, while Afghanistan are tenth, but will be a challenge in the Asian conditions.
The tournament which is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka will run from 7 February to 8 March.
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will meet in Colombo on 15 February.
It will be their first meeting since they contested three fiery matches at the 2025 Asia Cup.
India have been grouped with Pakistan, USA, Netherlands and Namibia in Group A.
In Group B are Sri Lanka, Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman.
England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal and debutants Italy are in Group C.
The top two teams in each group will advance to the Super Eights, where they are split into two groups of four.
The top two in each group will then progress to the semi-finals, which will be held on 4 March (in Kolkata or Colombo) and 5 March (in Mumbai).
Pakistan will play all of their matches in Sri Lanka because of ongoing political tensions with India.
The final will be hosted in Ahmedabad, unless Pakistan qualify, when it will be moved to Colombo.
The complete groups are as follows:
Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia
Group B: Sri Lanka, Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman
Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy
Group D: New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE
New Zealand games:
February 8: New Zealand v Afghanistan, Chennai.
February 10: New Zealand v UAE, Chennai.
February 14: New Zealand v South Africa, Ahmedabad.
February 17: New Zealand v Canada, Chennai
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
