New Zealand Outguns USA In High-Scoring T20 Warm-Up Clash

The stage is nearly set for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, but before the main event kicks off, teams are busy fine-tuning their strategies and bench strength in a flurry of warm-up matches. On February 5, 2026, cricket fans were treated to a fascinating clash between New Zealand and the United States of America at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, India. This 14th official warm-up match was not just a test of skills, but a showcase of determination from both a cricketing giant and a fast-rising challenger.

USA, still buzzing from their spirited chase against India A in their opening warm-up—where they came tantalizingly close to an upset, scoring 200 runs in 19.4 overs while chasing 239—entered this fixture with renewed optimism. Their captain, Monank Patel, had predicted a high-scoring encounter and emphasized the importance of crowd support, especially as the Americans look ahead to their tournament debut in the main event. "We’re here to compete and to show what USA cricket can do. The support from the stands gives us that extra push," Patel stated confidently before the match, according to tournament reports.

New Zealand, meanwhile, approached this as their only warm-up fixture before the World Cup’s official start on February 7. The Kiwis, known for their consistency and resilience across formats, were eager to shake off the disappointment of missing the Super 8s in the previous edition. Having finished third in Group C behind the West Indies and Afghanistan, New Zealand’s squad—led by captain Mitchell Santner and featuring stars like Devon Conway, Finn Allen, and Tim Seifert—arrived with a point to prove and a hunger to reclaim their status as T20 heavyweights.

The United States, on the other hand, are a team on the rise. Powered by a core of subcontinental expatriates and driven by the experience of co-hosting the 2024 edition with the Caribbean, the Americans are out to demonstrate that their cricketing ambitions are anything but modest. Players like Saiteja Mukkamalla, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shehan Jayasuriya, Shubham Ranjane, and Milind Kumar have become familiar names to fans following USA’s recent progress.

On a sunny Thursday in Navi Mumbai, the USA won the toss and opted to bowl first, hoping to contain New Zealand’s formidable batting lineup and chase under lights. The decision set the tone for a contest that promised fireworks—and it delivered. New Zealand’s batters wasted little time asserting themselves, racking up a commanding 208 runs for 7 wickets in their allotted overs. The Kiwis’ approach was aggressive, with each batter looking to make a statement ahead of the World Cup opener.

For the USA bowlers, it was a stern examination, but one that offered valuable insights into the demands of elite international T20 cricket. Despite the onslaught, the American fielders kept their energy high, and the bowlers stuck to their plans, determined to extract every lesson possible before the main tournament. The experience of facing a team of New Zealand’s caliber is, after all, exactly what these warm-ups are designed for.

In reply, the United States managed to post 128 runs for 5 wickets in 13 overs—a truncated chase that underscored the challenge of matching New Zealand’s firepower but also highlighted flashes of promise in the American lineup. Milind Kumar, one of the USA’s key middle-order batsmen, contributed a brisk 28 runs off just 17 balls, while Shubham Ranjane chipped in with a quick single. The Americans rotated the strike and looked for boundaries, but New Zealand’s bowling attack proved too disciplined to allow any dramatic late surge.

The squads for both teams reflected a blend of youth and experience. For the USA, in addition to captain Monank Patel, the lineup included all-rounders like Shadley van Schalkwyk, dependable wicketkeeper-batsman Andries Gous, and pace spearhead Ali Khan. New Zealand’s roster was stacked with proven performers: Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Rachin Ravindra, James Neesham, and the ever-reliable Mitchell Santner at the helm. The presence of bowlers like Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, and Matt Henry ensured that the Kiwis had both pace and spin options in abundance.

Fans unable to attend the match in person had plenty of ways to catch the action. In India, the warm-up was streamed live on the JioHotstar mobile app and website, part of the broader broadcast partnership announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the 2026 World Cup. JioStar’s coverage spans five languages on Star Sports and JioHotstar, with additional regional feeds. Outside India, ICC.tv provided live streaming in select locations, making sure global fans could keep tabs on their favorite teams’ preparations.

The ICC’s comprehensive media arrangements mean that cricket followers around the world will have access to every ball of the main tournament, which features 20 teams battling across 55 matches from February 7 to March 8, 2026. From Dialog TV in Sri Lanka (with Sinhala language coverage) to Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, Prime Video in Australia, and Willow TV in the USA and Canada—cricket’s reach is truly global. Notably, all USA matches will be available for free on Willow’s YouTube channel, a significant boost for the game’s profile in North America.

Audio commentary is also set to bring the tournament alive for listeners, with the ICC mobile app offering a world-feed in English, and regional radio partners like BBC (UK), ABC and SEN (Australia), All India Radio (India), and Derana FM (Sri Lanka) providing ball-by-ball coverage.

Elsewhere in the warm-up schedule, weather played spoilsport. The Australia vs Netherlands fixture in Colombo was washed out without a ball bowled, and the previous day’s Pakistan vs Ireland match at the Sinhalese Sports Club also fell victim to rain. Such interruptions only add to the anticipation as teams jostle for rhythm and readiness ahead of the tournament’s curtain-raiser: Pakistan vs Netherlands on February 7 at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

For USA, the warm-up campaign has been a valuable learning curve. Despite a defeat to India A and now a tough outing against New Zealand, the Americans have shown glimpses of the fighting spirit and talent that could spring a surprise or two in the coming weeks. For New Zealand, a convincing performance in their only warm-up match sends a clear message: the Black Caps are here to compete, and they won’t be taking any opponent lightly.

As the dust settles on this David vs Goliath warm-up, both teams will reflect on their strengths and areas for improvement. With the World Cup proper just days away, the excitement is palpable. Cricket’s global festival is about to begin, and if these warm-up matches are any indication, fans are in for a thrilling ride.