Group D action in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off at Ahmedabad’s colossal Narendra Modi Stadium on Monday, February 9, with South Africa taking on Canada in the 9th match at 7:00 PM local time (1:30 PM GMT).
The Proteas arrive as one of the tournament’s heavyweight contenders, boasting a star-studded lineup under Aiden Markram’s captaincy that includes match-winners like Quinton de Kock, David Miller, and a fearsome pace trio of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Lungi Ngidi.
Canada, led by Dilpreet Bajwa, faces a monumental challenge as they make their World Cup statement against elite opposition, but the associate nation will draw inspiration from playing at the world’s largest cricket venue, with its staggering 132,000 capacity.
While South Africa are overwhelming favorite to dominate this encounter, Canada’s spirited underdog mentality could produce moments of resistance in what promises to be a David versus Goliath battle under the Motera floodlights.
SA vs CAN T20 WC 2026 – Match Details
| Match Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | South Africa vs Canada, 9th Match, Group D |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | Monday, February 9, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM LOCAL / 1:30 PM GMT |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India |
| Capacity | 132,000 |
| Ends | Adani Pavilion End, GMDC End |
Betting Odds – South Africa vs Canada
| Betting Site | South Africa Win | Canada Win | South Africa Toss | Canada Toss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xbet | 1.05 | 12.00 | 1.90 | 1.90 |
| 10CRIC | 1.06 | 11.50 | 1.91 | 1.91 |
| Betway | 1.05 | 11.75 | 1.90 | 1.90 |
| Bet365 | 1.07 | 11.25 | 1.91 | 1.91 |
South Africa are overwhelming favorite with odds ranging from 1.05 to 1.07, reflecting their status as one of the tournament’s strongest teams with world-class players across all departments. Canada’s odds between 11.25 and 12.00 indicate bookmakers view them as massive underdogs facing an uphill battle.
Perfect evening cricket conditions await in Ahmedabad, with clear skies, a pleasant 20°C temperature, no chance of rain, and comfortable 40% humidity. The light 8 km/h wind will have minimal impact, ensuring ideal playing conditions under floodlights.
Pitch Report & Venue Analysis
The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch at Motera has evolved into a slow, batting-friendly surface over the years. Initially offering assistance to bowlers, the pitch now tends to slow down considerably, making stroke-play challenging as the ball grips.
The surface offers true bounce early on but becomes two-paced as matches progress, favoring teams batting first who can capitalize on better batting conditions in the first innings.
| Pitch Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Surface Type | Slow pitch, batting-friendly early, slows down later |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 166 runs |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 143 runs |
| Highest Total | 234/4 by India vs New Zealand |
| Lowest Total | 66 all out by New Zealand vs India |
| Highest Successful Chase | 166/3 by India vs England |
Venue Statistics – Narendra Modi Stadium T20 Record
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total T20 Matches | 11 |
| Batting First Wins | 7 |
| Bowling First Wins | 4 |
| Average 1st Innings | 166 |
| Average 2nd Innings | 143 |
| Toss Impact | Teams batting first win 64% of matches |
The statistics heavily favor teams batting first, with 7 of 11 matches won by teams setting targets. The significant 23-run difference between average first and second innings scores suggests that winning the toss and batting could be crucial.
Weather Forecast – Narendra Modi Stadium
| Aspect | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 20°C |
| Weather | Clear |
| Precipitation | 0% |
| Humidity | 40% |
| Wind | 8 km/h |
Head-to-Head Record – South Africa vs Canada
| Team | Matches Played | Won | Lost | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100.00% |
| Canada | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% |
Key Insights:
- South Africa and Canada have met only once in ODI cricket (2003 World Cup)
- South Africa won that encounter comprehensively
- This will be their first-ever T20 International meeting
- The gulf in quality and experience heavily favors South Africa
Team Squads
South Africa Squad: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka.
Canada Squad: Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Yuvraj Samra, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (wk), Kanwarpal Tathgur, Jaskaran Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma, Dilon Heyliger, Kaleem Sana, Ansh Patel, Ajayveer Hundal, Ravinderpal Singh, Harsh Thaker.
Key Players To Watch For SA vs CAN T20 WC 2026 Match
| Player | Stats & Key Strengths |
|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock (RSA) | 2,914 T20I runs in 102 matches at an average of 31.67 and a strike rate of 142.70 |
| Kagiso Rabada (RSA) | 78 wickets in 72 T20 International matches |
| David Miller (RSA) | Has scored 2,630 runs in 133 T20I matches (117 innings) at an average of 32.88 and a strike rate of 140.57 |
| Dilpreet Bajwa (CAN) | Captain and opening batsman; experienced campaigner; Canada’s tactical leader; crucial to setting a platform in the powerplay |
| Saad Bin Zafar (CAN) | Left-arm orthodox spinner and all-rounder; Canada’s most experienced player; economical bowler; provides batting depth |
| Kaleem Sana (CAN) | Fast bowler and key wicket-taker; leads Canada’s pace attack; capable of early breakthroughs; crucial to restricting South Africa |
Suggested Reads:
Live Streaming & TV Broadcast Details
| Region/Country | Broadcasters |
|---|---|
| India | Star Sports Network, Disney+ Hotstar |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports Cricket |
| United States | Willow TV |
| Australia | Fox Sports, Kayo Sports |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, ARY Digital |
| South Africa | SuperSport |
| Canada | CBN, Sportsnet |
| Global Streaming | ICC.tv (select regions) |
