The highly anticipated clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will take place today, February 9, 2026, as South Africa faces Canada at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. South Africa, the 2024 tournament’s runners-up, steps into this Group D match as the clear favorite. Under the leadership of captain Aiden Markram, the Proteas are eager to start their campaign with a commanding victory, showcasing a blend of seasoned players like Quinton de Kock and budding talents such as Dewald Brevis.
Canada will confront a challenging scenario as they make their World Cup return, especially after a significant late change in leadership that saw Dilpreet Singh Bajwa appointed as captain. The Canadian team needs to find immediate cohesion to effectively face one of the most formidable bowling lineups in the tournament. The match is set to commence at 7:00 PM IST, with both teams looking to earn their first points in what many regard as the “Group of Death.”
South Africa’s playing eleven is expected to be a powerful lineup designed for the batting-friendly conditions of Ahmedabad. The predicted team includes: Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Dewald Brevis, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, and Lungi Ngidi. This combination merges express pace with tactical spin, setting a robust foundation for their batting.
For Canada, the projected playing eleven features: Yuvraj Samra, Navneet Dhaliwal, Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Nicholas Kirton, Harsh Thaker, Ravinderpal Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Shreyas Movva (wk), Dilon Heyliger, Kaleem Sana, and Jaskarandeep Singh. Canada will depend heavily on their all-rounders to compensate for the experience gap against a strong South African side.
Fans eager to catch the action can find various broadcasting options. In India, live streaming can be accessed exclusively on the JioHotstar app and website, with live telecasts available on the Star Sports Network. For viewers in South Africa, SuperSport will cover the match across their TV and digital platforms. UK audiences can watch on Sky Sports Cricket, while audiences in Canada and the USA can tune into Willow TV. In Pakistan, Tamasha, ARY Zapp, and Tapmad are available for streaming, ensuring a global audience for this exciting match.
The pitch report for the Narendra Modi Stadium suggests favorable batting conditions, as the surface is considered a “batting paradise” after the initial overs. Though the long square boundaries may aid bowlers who utilize variations effectively, the wicket is likely to be accommodating for batters, allowing them to play aggressively. As the match progresses, the pitch is expected to slow down, potentially favoring spinners like Keshav Maharaj and Saad Bin Zafar. A par score is anticipated to be in the range of 175–185 runs, but South Africa’s explosive batting can certainly surpass this figure if they bat first.
Weather conditions in Ahmedabad look promising with no chance of rain expected. Clear skies will prevail, with temperatures ranging from 23°C to 27°C during the match. Moderate humidity around 45% might lead to dew forming later, affecting the bowlers and making it easier for the chasers.
In terms of match predictions, South Africa is seen as the overwhelming favorite, boasting a win probability exceeding 90%. The disparity in experience and skill level between the two teams significantly favors the Proteas, who are expected to dominate unless an exceptional collapse occurs in their batting order. While Canada’s Dilpreet Bajwa and Yuvraj Samra have shown promise during regional qualifiers, they face a daunting task against a world-class bowling attack in this high-stakes World Cup encounter.
Overall, this matchup presents an exciting opportunity for both teams, with South Africa aiming to assert their dominance early in the tournament, while Canada seeks to showcase their competitive spirit on the global stage.