CHENNAI: Tim Seifert produced a match-winning knock as New Zealand chased down a challenging target to secure a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.
Pursuing a daunting 183-run target, the Blackcaps reached the finish line with five wickets in hand and 13 balls to spare, overcoming an early collapse with a composed and aggressive middle-order effort.
New Zealand endured a shaky start when Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in the second over, dismissing Finn Allen for 1 and Rachin Ravindra for a duck on consecutive deliveries, leaving the visitors reeling at 14-2 in just 1.4 overs.
Under pressure, Glenn Phillips joined Seifert at the crease, and the pair launched a strong counterattack, stitching together a brisk 74-run stand for the third wicket.
Phillips played fluently for his 42 off 25 balls, hitting seven fours and a six, before Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan broke the partnership in the 10th over.
Seifert, however, continued to dominate and built another crucial 36-run partnership with Mark Chapman.
The wicketkeeper-batter top-scored with a superb 65 off 42 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries, including three sixes, before departing as New Zealand closed in on the target.
Afghanistan fought back again when Chapman fell for a quick 28 off 17 balls in the 16th over, leaving New Zealand needing 28 runs.
But Daryl Mitchell and captain Mitchell Santner held their nerve, guiding the side home with an unbeaten 33-run stand off just 13 deliveries.
Mitchell finished unbeaten on 25 from 14 balls, while Santner contributed a handy 17 not out from eight deliveries to seal the victory.
For Afghanistan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi chipped in with one scalp each.
Earlier, Gulbadin Naib smashed a brisk half-century to guide Afghanistan to a competitive 182-6.
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan saw his decision rewarded as his side recovered strongly from an early wobble to post a challenging total on the board.
Afghanistan began cautiously, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran adding 35 runs in the opening five overs.
However, Lockie Ferguson swung momentum back in New Zealand’s favour by removing both openers in the same over, reducing Afghanistan to 44/2.
Zadran managed 10 off 12 balls, while Gurbaz contributed 27 from 22 deliveries, including two fours and a six.
With the innings at a delicate stage, Gulbadin Naib joined forces with Sediqullah Atal to rebuild.
The pair stitched together a crucial 79-run partnership for the third wicket, stabilising the innings and setting the platform for acceleration.
Atal’s composed knock of 29 came to an end in the 15th over, but Naib continued to dominate the bowlers.
The experienced all-rounder then shared a quick 33-run stand with Darwish Rasooli before falling in the 18th over to Rachin Ravindra.
Naib top-scored with a fluent 63 off 35 balls, striking four boundaries and three sixes in an innings that shifted the contest in Afghanistan’s favour.
Rasooli followed soon after, dismissed by Matt Henry for a brisk 20 off 13 balls, which included a four and a six.
In the closing stages, Mohammad Nabi (10*) and Azmatullah Omarzai (14) provided late momentum with an 18-run partnership off just 11 deliveries, ensuring Afghanistan finished strongly.
For New Zealand, Ferguson was the pick of the bowlers with 2/40 from his four overs, while Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry and Ravindra claimed a wicket each.
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