Afghanistan vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026: Where to Watch Live Online from Anywhere

Afghanistan are set to face New Zealand in their highly anticipated opening clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This match promises to be a thrilling encounter as two competitive sides battle it out for early tournament momentum.

Afghanistan’s Confidence Boost

Afghanistan head into this tournament riding high on confidence after securing a 2-1 victory over West Indies in their recent series. The spin department looks particularly formidable with Mujeeb Ur Rehman and captain Rashid Khan leading the charge. Between them, they claimed 11 wickets in the series—Mujeeb with 6 and Rashid with 5—which is a massive positive, especially considering the spin-friendly conditions expected in Sri Lanka and Chennai.

The Afghan team has made tremendous progress over the past five years, culminating in their semi-final appearance in the last T20 World Cup where they narrowly lost to eventual champions India. This time, they’ll be eager to go one step further and make history.

New Zealand’s Challenge

New Zealand, on the other hand, arrive at this tournament in slightly troubled waters after suffering a crushing 1-4 defeat against defending champions India in their most recent series. Their batting lineup looked particularly out of sorts, with the middle order failing to contribute meaningfully.

However, there are still reasons for optimism. Openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert are in excellent form, and captain Mitchell Santner will be crucial with the ball, especially given the spin-friendly conditions. Pacer Jacob Duffy has been in sensational form, breaking New Zealand’s record for most wickets in a calendar year with 81 scalps in 2025. Much will depend on his shoulders as well.

Despite consistent performances over the years, the Kiwis have never managed to reach the finals of a T20 World Cup, losing in the semi-finals on three occasions (2007, 2016, and 2022). They’ll be desperate to correct this record and bring the trophy home for the first time.

How to Watch Afghanistan vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026 Live Stream Online

Whether you’re at home or traveling abroad, we’ve got you covered with all the official broadcasting options for cricket-loving countries around the world, including the United States! If you’re overseas, you might find that geo-restrictions prevent you from accessing your usual streaming service. Don’t worry—we’ll show you how to bypass these blocks.

Use a VPN to Watch from Anywhere

The simplest way to overcome geo-restrictions is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN allows you to change your streaming device’s IP address to appear as if you’re in your home country, giving you access to your regular streaming services no matter where you are in the world.

Recommended VPN for watching the T20 World Cup:

For watching the Afghanistan vs New Zealand T20 World Cup live stream from anywhere, we recommend ExpressVPN. It’s currently rated as the best VPN service on the market thanks to its exceptional speeds, user-friendly interface, and robust security features. What’s more, it works seamlessly with all the major streaming platforms.

ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. If you’re not completely satisfied, you can get a full refund.

How to Watch in Specific Countries

United States

American cricket fans can catch all the action through Willow TV, which holds exclusive rights to broadcast the T20 World Cup in the USA. The service is available through cable providers or as a standalone streaming option.

India

In India, the T20 World Cup will be broadcast on Star Sports network channels, with streaming available on Disney+ Hotstar. Hotstar offers both free and premium tiers, with the premium tier providing HD streaming and additional features.

United Kingdom

UK viewers can watch the tournament on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event. For streaming, Sky Go app provides live coverage for Sky subscribers, while Now TV offers day passes for those who don’t have a full Sky subscription.

Australia

Australian cricket fans can tune in to Fox Cricket for live coverage of all T20 World Cup matches. Kayo Sports also provides streaming options with its flexible subscription plans.

New Zealand

As expected, New Zealand residents can watch all their team’s matches live on Sky Sport NZ. The Sky Sport Now service also offers streaming options for cord-cutters.

Pakistan

In Pakistan, PTV Sports holds the broadcasting rights and will show all matches live on television. For streaming, the Tamasha app provides live coverage of the tournament.

South Africa

South African viewers can catch the action on SuperSport channels, with streaming available through the DStv app for subscribers.

Match Details

When and where is the Afghanistan vs New Zealand match?
The New Zealand vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2026 match will be played at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai at 11:00 AM IST / 12:30 AM ET.

Afghanistan vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026 squads:

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen Ul Haq, Mohammad Ishaq Rahimi, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran. Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi

Can I Watch Afghanistan vs New Zealand for Free?

Yes, in several countries you can watch the Afghanistan vs New Zealand match for free! In India, Disney+ Hotstar offers a free tier that includes live sports coverage, though with some limitations. Similarly, in Pakistan, PTV Sports provides free-to-air television coverage of all matches.

However, do note that free streams often come with lower video quality, more advertisements, and potential reliability issues during high-traffic moments. For the best viewing experience, a paid subscription is recommended.

Final Thoughts

This opening match between Afghanistan and New Zealand promises to be an exciting start to the T20 World Cup 2026. With Afghanistan’s rising confidence and New Zealand’s determination to finally break their semi-final curse, fans are in for a treat.

Whether you’re watching from home or using a VPN to access your usual stream while traveling, make sure you don’t miss this crucial encounter. The T20 format means anything can happen, and both teams have the firepower to make a deep run in this tournament.

Remember to check your local broadcast options and consider using a VPN if you’re traveling during the tournament. With the right setup, you’ll never miss a moment of the action as these two competitive sides battle for early supremacy in the T20 World Cup 2026!

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