ICC T20 World Cup 2026 – Semi-Final 1 Preview: Head to Head, Pitch, Weather Report, Probable 11, Streaming Details. Semi-Final 1 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 promises a thrilling contest between the Proteas and the Kiwis at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The match will be played on 4 March 2026 from 7:00 PM IST. South Africa enters the semi-final unbeaten in the tournament. They topped their group with dominant performances. They continued their strong run in the Super Eight stage. Their bowling attack has looked sharp and disciplined. Their batting unit has delivered under pressure.
Captain Aiden Markram has led from the front. He has scored 268 runs in the tournament so far. Quinton de Kock has provided explosive starts in the power play. David Miller has finished games calmly in the death overs. Lungi Ngidi has taken 12 wickets this season. Kagiso Rabada has struck crucial early breakthroughs.
New Zealand had a mixed campaign early in the tournament. They bounced back strongly in the Super Eight stage. A big 61-run win over Sri Lanka sealed their semi-final spot. Mitchell Santner has led the side with smart tactical decisions. Finn Allen has attacked bowlers fearlessly in the powerplay. Rachin Ravindra has provided balance with bat and ball.
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Head to Head
In T20 internationals, South Africa leads with 12-7. New Zealand have never beaten South Africa in T20 WC history. SA have dominated all four previous meetings, including a recent 7-wicket win in the 2026 group stage. That record gives the Proteas a mental edge.
Pitch and Weather Report
The pitch at Eden Gardens offers good bounce and carry. Batters can trust the surface for stroke play. Fast bowlers get help with the new ball. Spinners become important during the middle overs. Dew is expected in the second innings. Teams may prefer chasing under lights. Weather conditions look clear and warm in Kolkata. The temperature could hover around 33 degrees Celsius. No significant rain is forecast for match day.
Probable Playing 11
South Africa (likely): Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Keshav Maharaj.
New Zealand (likely): Mitchell Santner, Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson.
Streaming Details
The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports and JioHotstar in India. Fans can stream the game on JioHotstar digitally. Sky Sport will televise the match in New Zealand. SuperSport holds broadcasting rights in South Africa.
Also Read: IND vs WI Super 8 Highlights: India Storm Into Semifinals of T20 World Cup 2026
Match Prediction
South Africa looks slightly ahead on current form. Their unbeaten streak builds strong confidence. However, New Zealand thrives in ICC knockout matches. They are known for handling pressure calmly. Prediction favours South Africa by a narrow margin. If they bat first, 180 could be a winning total. If New Zealand chase well, the game could go deep. Expect a tense contest and possibly a last-over finish.