New Zealand vs USA, World Cup 2026 warm up match Highlights: NZ win by 7 runs

New Zealand survived a late scare to beat the United States of America by 7 runs, with USA finishing on 201/8 in 20 overs while chasing 209.

In the 14th match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Warm-up Matches 2026 played at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, India, USA’s chase ebbed and flowed throughout.

After early wickets, they stayed in the hunt through fighting knocks from the middle order, keeping the required rate within reach heading into the death overs. Milind Kumar’s 43 and Shubham Ranjane’s counter-attacking 41 brought the contest alive again after the 16th over, especially when USA plundered 53 runs in the final five overs.

The game looked set for a dramatic finish as USA crossed 180 in the 18th over, but New Zealand’s experience at the death made the difference. Matt Henry delivered a decisive final spell, finishing with outstanding figures of 5/32, striking at crucial moments. He removed Milind Kumar in the 17th over and then completely swung the game back in the final over with two wickets, including Ranjane and Mohammad Mohsin.

Despite late hits from Sanjay Krishnamurthi (13 off 8), USA fell short, managing just 4 runs and two wickets in the final over when they needed far more.

New Zealand’s bowlers held their nerve under pressure, with Henry leading the charge and Ish Sodhi’s 2/27 earlier playing a key role in breaking momentum.

USA keep fighting but required run-rate climbs

USA reach 148/5 at the end of 15 overs, but a tight over from Ish Sodhi yields just 5 runs, pushing the pressure back onto the chasing side. The current run rate stands at 9.86, while the required rate has climbed sharply to 12.20.

Milind Kumar continues to be the backbone of the chase, moving to a fluent 42 off 24 balls, striking five fours and a six to keep USA in the hunt. At the other end, Shubham Ranjane is still finding his feet on 7 off 6, with boundaries drying up at a crucial stage.

Once again, Ish Sodhi proves pivotal, finishing his spell with impressive figures of 2/27 from 4 overs, applying the brakes at exactly the right moment. With five overs remaining and the asking rate soaring, USA need something special in the death overs to threaten New Zealand’s 208.

USA 94/4 after 10 overs: Mukkamalla’s fifty shines, Sodhi strikes back

USA moved from 43/2 to 94/4 by the 10th over, scoring 51 runs in this phase but losing two crucial wickets as New Zealand tightened their grip on the chase.

The charge was led brilliantly by Saiteja Mukkamalla, who took control against both pace and spin. He was particularly severe on Jacob Duffy, helping USA collect 17 runs around the sixth over, keeping the required rate in check. Partnered by Monank Patel, the duo briefly put New Zealand under pressure with fearless strokeplay and smart running.

Spin, however, turned the game back in New Zealand’s favour. Ish Sodhi delivered the breakthrough in the 8th over, bowling Monank Patel for a quickfire 31 off 14 balls, ending a dangerous partnership. Still, Mukkamalla continued undeterred, bringing up a classy 50 off 31 balls, mixing clean sixes with well-placed boundaries.

Just as USA looked set for a bigger push, Sodhi struck again in the 10th over. Mukkamalla, attempting another big hit, was caught by Glenn Phillips, falling immediately after reaching his half-century. The over went for 10 runs, but the wicket was a massive blow.

USA 43/2 after 5 overs

USA are keeping the chase alive but already facing a stiff climb with 166 needed off 90 balls at a required rate of 11.07.

New Zealand struck immediately when Matt Henry dismissd Andries Gous for a first-ball duck, setting the tone early. Jacob Duffy then added further pressure by dismissing Shayan Jahangir for 2, leaving USA wobbling at 13/2 inside two overs.

Just when the innings threatened to stall, Saiteja Mukkamalla and Monank Patel launched a spirited counter-attack. Mukkamalla showed composure and intent, finding gaps consistently and rotating strike smartly, while Monank brought instant aggression. The pair added 30 runs off just 18 balls, swinging momentum back briefly.

Monank took on the pace with confidence, smashing a six and two boundaries in quick succession, including a 14-run over off Kyle Jamieson and another productive over against Duffy. However, New Zealand pulled things back with a tight fifth over from Ish Sodhi, conceding just 3 runs to apply the brakes.

Late fireworks push NZ past 200

New Zealand finished with a commanding 208/7, adding 53 runs in the final five overs in a dramatic end that mixed clean hitting with late wickets.

The launchpad was laid in the 16th over as Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner took on Mohammad Mohsin, hammering 19 runs with two towering sixes and a boundary to suddenly lift the tempo after a quieter middle phase.

Momentum briefly shifted when Ali Khan struck in the 17th over, removing Santner for 19 off 15, but the arrival of James Neesham reignited the charge instantly. Neesham went straight into attack mode, smashing a superb six through extra cover as the USA bowlers struggled with discipline, leaking wides at crucial moments.

The 18th and 19th overs were productive rather than explosive, with Mitchell anchoring the innings smartly and running hard between the wickets. However, Saurabh Netravalkar produced a decisive final over, picking up two wickets, first Daryl Mitchell for a well-made 32, then Neesham, who was run out off the final ball while trying to squeeze an extra run.

NZ reach 155/4 after 15 overs

New Zealand powered ahead before briefly easing off, moving from 108/2 to 155/4 by the 15th over, adding 47 runs in this phase but losing two key wickets.

The burst came through Glenn Phillips, who completely took charge just after the halfway mark. He went after Harmeet Singh and Shubham Ranjane, smashing clean sixes down the ground and through the off side. The 13th over turned into a carnage, yielding 17 runs, with Phillips hammering two sixes in succession as New Zealand surged to 146/3.

However, USA finally managed to halt the momentum when Ranjane struck back, having Phillips caught for a destructive 40 off just 18 balls.

It was a crucial breakthrough, coming right after the assault.

Earlier in the phase, New Zealand also lost their set batter Tim Seifert, which slowed things slightly as Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner focused on rebuilding rather than boundary-hunting. The last two overs were particularly quiet, fetching only 9 runs, thanks to tight lines from Harmeet Singh and an impressive first over from Shadley van Schalkwyk.

New Zealand vs USA Live updates: NZ 108/2 after 10 overs

New Zealand continue their dominance, surging to 108/2 at the halfway mark, maintaining a strong run rate of 10.8 despite losing their second wicket.

The assault was led once again by Tim Seifert, who shifted gears seamlessly after the powerplay. He punished anything loose, especially taking on spin, and brought up a blazing 65 off just 30 balls, striking 10 fours and 2 sixes. His timing through extra cover and mid-wicket kept the USA bowlers under constant pressure.

Mark Chapman played a lively cameo, adding momentum in the middle overs. The pair tore into Harmeet Singh, smashing 20 runs in the 8th over, including a six and three boundaries. However, USA finally found some respite when Mohammad Mohsin struck immediately on arrival, bowling Chapman for 17 off 11 balls to make it 92/2.

Enter Glenn Phillips, who wasted no time settling in. He announced himself with crisp boundaries and rotated strike smartly, ensuring there was no dip in scoring. The 10th over yielded 12 more runs, pushing New Zealand past the 100-run mark with ease.

New Zealand vs USA Live updates: NZ 57/1 after 5 overs

New Zealand have made a blistering start to their innings, racing to 57/1 in 5 overs at a scorching run rate of 11.40.

The tone was set early by Tim Seifert, who launched an all-out assault during the powerplay. After a watchful start, Seifert exploded against both Milind Kumar and Saurabh Netravalkar, peppering the boundary with ease. His strokeplay peaked in the fifth over, where he smashed 16 runs off Milind Kumar, including a six and two fours, to surge to 41 off just 17 balls.

At the other end, Devon Conway played the supporting role but still found the fence regularly. However, USA managed a crucial breakthrough in the fourth over when Netravalkar removed Conway for 16 (13), caught by Shubham Ranjane, briefly halting the momentum.

Mark Chapman has just walked in and is yet to get off the mark, while the USA bowlers have struggled for control, conceding 57 runs in the last five overs with just one wicket to show for it.

Squads

United States of America (Batting XI, Fielding XI): Saiteja Mukkamalla, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shehan Jayasuriya, Shubham Ranjane, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Milind Kumar, Harmeet Singh, Shayan Jahangir, Monank Patel(w/c), Andries Gous, Ali Khan, Jasdeep Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Nosthush Kenjige, Saurabh Netravalkar

New Zealand (Batting XI, Fielding XI): Devon Conway, Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner(c), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Michael Bracewell

Toss Update

USA have won the toss and have opted to bowl first.