Published on: Feb 6, 2026 11:45 am IST|Updated on: Feb 6, 2026 11:49 am IST
Only a day left for the 11th edition of the ICC T20 World Cup to get underway. The 20 teams contesting in this showpiece event have pulled up their socks and are ready to go on a collision course for a month or so. As we all know, the 20 teams are divided into four groups of five teams each. Let’s take some time to discuss Group D, which features South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, the UAE, and Afghanistan. As one can sense, this is one of the toughest groups in the tournament, with as many as 3 teams among the favorites to go through to the Super 8 stage. Let’s begin our post, featuring a short preview of the five teams of Group D.
ICC T20I Ranking: 5 Best Performance: Runners-up in 2024
The Proteas enter the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 hoping to cross the final hurdle this time around. After getting to the finals of the previous edition and losing to the eventual champions, India, the South Africans have tasted the toughest pill to swallow; now they must be looking to turn the tables around and taste the pill that will suit them the most.
In the 2026 edition of the T20 World Cup, the Proteas boast a formidable squad led by Aiden Markram. Yes, there were some last-minute forceful changes in the squad due to injury to key players, but the team still packs a punch. They should aim to make it to the semifinals first and then take one step at a time to finally get their hands on their second ICC title after the ICC World Test Championship in 2025.
South Africa T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Aiden Markram (C), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Jason Smith
ICC T20I Ranking: 10 Best Performance: Semifinalists in 2024
The Afghanistan side is heading into the ICC T20 World Cup with their tails up. They had a terrific run in the 2024 edition, defeating giants like New Zealand and Australia, and ended up as the semifinalists. They will take that confidence into this World Cup and will be hoping to shine yet again.
Talking about their squad, it features familiar faces from the last edition, keeping the core intact. Their ICC T20 ranking doesn’t justify what this team is capable of, and they would try to repeat the feat from 2024 again. Expect the Afghanistan side, under the leadership of Rashid Khan, to go places in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen Ul Haq, Mohammad Ishaq, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran
ICC T20I Ranking: 4 Best Performance: Finalists in 2021
The Blackcaps enter the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 as one of the promising sides. Their best came in the 2021 edition in the UAE when they finished as the finalists. Since then, they haven’t shown their best in the following edition and played their worst in the 2024 edition, where they bowed out in the first round itself.
Two years later, with a relatively strong squad from the 2024 edition, New Zealand enters this World Cup as one of the favorites for a spot in the semifinals. A loss against Afghanistan in the group stage of the 2024 edition proved too costly for the Blackcaps, and they will now face their nemesis once again in their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026. Much will depend on how they begin, as it could set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Kyle Jamieson, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi
ICC T20I Ranking: 17 Best Performance: Last in 2014 and 2022 editions
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) enters the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 aiming to make an impression in their third appearance on the global stage. Drawn in Group D alongside heavyweights South Africa, New Zealand, and Afghanistan, plus fellow associate Canada, the challenge is immense, but UAE will look to showcase growth and resilience.
UAE’s journey has been one of steady progress. After a winless debut in 2014, they registered their first victory in 2022 against Namibia, proving they can compete at this level. Missing out in 2024 was a setback, but qualification for 2026 reflects their determination. For UAE, this tournament is less about lifting the trophy and more about proving they could be the best among the associates. A strong showing could inspire the next generation of Emirati cricketers and strengthen their reputation as a rising associate nation.
UAE T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Muhammad Waseem (C), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Mayank Kumar, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Zohaib, Rohid Khan, Sohaib Khan, Simranjeet Singh
ICC T20I Ranking: 19 Best Performance: Finished 13th out of 20 in 2024
Canada will feature in their second ICC T20 World Cup after making a promising debut in 2024. They impressed by defeating Ireland in the group stage, finishing 13th overall, and will now look to build on that momentum in India and Sri Lanka. Drawn in Group D alongside South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and UAE, Canada face a tough challenge but will aim to showcase their progress as an emerging cricket nation.
Canada’s realistic target will be to push for wins against fellow associate UAE and challenge the bigger teams with spirited performances. They should look to outdo themselves from the last edition. A victory over the UAE and at least one tough game against one of the three Test-playing nations in the group will keep their spirit high and motivate them for bigger things in their cricket journey going forward.
Canada T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Dilpreet Bajwa (C), Ajayveer Hundal, Ansh Patel, Dilon Heyliger, Harsh Thaker, Jaskarandeep Buttar, Kaleem Sana, Kanwarpal Tathgur, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Ravinderpal Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma, Shreyas Movva, Yuvraj Samra.
Tags: T20 World Cup 2026