The road to the 2026 final reaches a fever pitch today as an unbeaten South Africa takes on the tactical giants, New Zealand, in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Taking place at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, this high-stakes clash features two of the most consistent teams in modern cricket fighting for a spot at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The Proteas, led by Aiden Markram, enter as favorites after a flawless campaign, while Mitchell Santner’s Black Caps look to leverage their big-match temperament to secure a place in the final. As global interest peaks, this official guide provides everything you need to know regarding broadcasting rights, match timings, and global TV channel listings.
Match Overview & Schedule
South Africa enters this knockout stage as the only unbeaten team in the tournament, boasting a flawless seven-match winning streak. New Zealand, the perennial “dark horses,” secured their spot after a hard-fought Super 8 campaign, edgeing out Pakistan on Net Run Rate.
| Feature | Details |
| Event | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – 1st Semi-Final |
| Date | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India |
| Match Start Time | 7:00 PM IST / 3:30 PM SAST / 2:30 AM NZDT (March 5) |
| Toss Time | 6:30 PM IST |
Global Television Coverage
Fans across the globe can tune in to their local sports networks to witness this historic clash. Below are the primary television partners for the event:
- India: The match will be televised on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, and various regional Star Sports channels.
- South Africa: Supporters can catch the action on SuperSport Cricket and SuperSport Grandstand.
- New Zealand: The encounter will be broadcast live on Sky Sport NZ.
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports Cricket will provide full coverage.
- USA & Canada: Cricket enthusiasts can tune in via Willow TV.
Official Global Mobile Applications
| Region / Country | Official Application | Notable Features |
| India | JioHotstar | Multi-cam views (Stump, Hero, 360°), Regional languages. |
| South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSport / DStv | Full HD coverage, expert analysis, and highlight reels. |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport NOW / Sky Go | Live matches with dedicated Hindi commentary options. |
| United Kingdom & Ireland | Sky Sports / NOW | Match day analysis and in-app stats tracking. |
| USA & Canada | Willow / Cricbuzz | Ad-free options and extensive pre-match shows. |
| Pakistan | Myco / Tamasha / Tapmad | Local Urdu commentary and low-latency feeds. |
| Australia | Prime Video | Integrated scorecard and “X-Ray” player stats. |
| Sri Lanka | Dialog Play | Exclusive Sinhala commentary for all matches. |
| Rest of the World | ICC.tv | Available in 80+ territories where local rights aren’t held. |
Pitch & Weather Report
The Eden Gardens Surface
Kolkata’s legendary pitch is known for its high-scoring nature. Experts suggest a par score of roughly 180–190. While the surface favors batters early on, the dry heat may offer assistance to spinners like Keshav Maharaj and Mitchell Santner during the middle overs.
The Dew Factor
Meteorologists predict heavy dew later in the evening. This often makes the ball slippery and difficult for bowlers to grip, potentially giving a significant advantage to the team batting second.
Kolkata Weather
The forecast is clear with temperatures hovering around 27°C (80°F) during play. There is a 0% chance of rain, though a reserve day is scheduled for March 5th should any unforeseen interruptions occur.
Key Players to Watch
- Aiden Markram (SA): The Proteas skipper has been in sublime form, maintaining a strike rate of over 175 throughout the tournament.
- Rachin Ravindra (NZ): The versatile all-rounder remains the backbone of the Black Caps’ middle order and a vital option with the ball.
- Lungi Ngidi (SA): With 12 wickets so far, his ability to execute slower balls at the death will be crucial at Eden Gardens.
- Tim Seifert (NZ): New Zealand’s top run-scorer in this edition, Seifert’s explosive starts could be the difference-maker.
Head-to-Head Stats
Historically, South Africa holds a slight advantage in the shortest format:
- Total Matches: 18
- South Africa Wins: 11
- New Zealand Wins: 7
Interestingly, while the two have met frequently in 50-over World Cup knockouts, this marks their first-ever meeting in a T20 World Cup semi-final.
