New Zealand pulled off a thrilling 5-wicket victory over Afghanistan in a high-quality encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, successfully chasing down 183 to record their highest-ever T20 World Cup run chase.
The match featured dramatic momentum swings that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Afghanistan posted a competitive 182/6 thanks to Gulbadin Naib’s explosive 63 off 35 balls, but New Zealand’s chase was anchored by Tim Seifert’s masterful 65 off 42 deliveries and Glenn Phillips’ aggressive 42 off 25.
The turning point came in the powerplay when Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in successive balls to dismiss Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra, giving Afghanistan hope.
However, Seifert’s counterattacking brilliance against pace, combined with Phillips’ calculated assault on the spinners, tilted the match back in New Zealand’s favor.
The partnership between Seifert and Phillips added crucial runs before Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell finished the job with 13 balls to spare, securing two vital points for the Blackcaps in their Group D opener.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Date | Sunday, February 8, 2026 |
| Match | 4th Match, Group D |
| Toss | Afghanistan won and elected to bat |
| Man of the Match | Tim Seifert (NZ) |
| Afghanistan | 182/6 (20 overs) |
| New Zealand | 183/5 (17.5 overs) |
| Result | New Zealand won by 5 wickets |
1st Innings Highlights – Afghanistan: 182/6 (20 overs)
Afghanistan posted a competitive 182/6 on a challenging Chennai surface that offered variable bounce and grip for bowlers.
New Zealand’s pacers dominated the powerplay, with Lockie Ferguson’s double-strike in the 6th over removing both openers – Rahmanullah Gurbaz (27 off 22) and Ibrahim Zadran (10 off 12) – to reduce Afghanistan to 44/2. Gurbaz had earlier smashed Fazalhaq Farooqi for three boundaries in the first over but struggled to find fluency on the two-paced pitch.
The match turned dramatically in the middle overs as Afghanistan’s middle order capitalized on New Zealand’s part-time bowling options.
Gulbadin Naib, promoted to number 3, played the innings of his life, crafting a magnificent 63 off 35 balls with 3 fours and 4 sixes. His innings was a tale of two halves – he crawled to 18 off 16 balls before exploding with 45 runs off his next 19 deliveries. Sediqullah Atal (29 off 24) and Darwish Rasooli (20 off 13) provided crucial support.
Afghanistan’s intelligent game plan targeted the fifth bowler’s quota ruthlessly. Between James Neesham and Glenn Phillips, they plundered 45 runs in 4 overs.
New Zealand’s surprising decision to give part-timer Rachin Ravindra an over backfired as he conceded 14 runs, including a six. With 59 runs leaked from 5 overs of filler bowling, Mitchell Santner’s economical spell (4-0-23-0) was undone.
Azmatullah Omarzai’s late cameo (14 off 7 with 2 sixes) and Mohammad Nabi’s quickfire 10 off 7 propelled Afghanistan past 180, leaving New Zealand with a challenging target on a pitch that wasn’t conducive to free-flowing stroke play.
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Gulbadin Naib – 63 (35 balls, 3 fours, 4 sixes) |
| Best Bowler | Lockie Ferguson – 2/40 (4 overs) |
2nd Innings Highlights – New Zealand: 183/5 (17.5 overs)
New Zealand achieved their highest-ever T20 World Cup run chase, reaching 183/5 in just 17.5 overs to secure a thrilling 5-wicket victory.
The chase began disastrously when Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck with consecutive deliveries in the 2nd over, clean bowling Finn Allen (1) and Rachin Ravindra (0) to leave New Zealand reeling at 14/2.
Afghanistan, who had never lost a T20I defending 180-plus in 24 previous matches, sensed an opportunity to repeat their 2024 T20 World Cup victory over the Blackcaps.
However, Tim Seifert had other plans. Drawing on his extensive experience in subcontinental leagues, including the CPL, the wicketkeeper-batsman played a match-winning knock of 65 off 42 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes.
His strategy was clear: handle the spinners with a straight bat and attack the pacers relentlessly. Seifert smashed Fazalhaq Farooqi for 4 boundaries and 1 six in 11 balls during the powerplay, completely disrupting Afghanistan’s plans.
Glenn Phillips (42 off 25 balls with 7 fours and 1 six) joined the counter-attack, particularly targeting Rashid Khan and Mujeeb.
The crucial 79-run partnership between Seifert and Phillips brought New Zealand back into the contest. Phillips showed excellent game awareness, using his feet against the spinners and reading them from the hand rather than off the pitch.
His assault on Mujeeb in the 15th over, where he smashed a six and a four, swung momentum decisively.
After Seifert holed out to Azmatullah off Nabi for 65, Mark Chapman (28 off 17 with 2 fours and 1 six) continued the aggressive approach.
His calculated attack on Mujeeb’s final over – hitting a six and a four – effectively sealed the game. Daryl Mitchell (17 off 11) provided the finishing touches, fittingly ending the match with a boundary off Azmatullah in the 18th over.
New Zealand’s clinical chase, completed with 13 balls remaining, demonstrated their superior handling of pressure and adaptability to challenging conditions.
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Tim Seifert – 65 (42 balls, 7 fours, 3 sixes) |
| Best Bowler | Mujeeb Ur Rahman – 2/31 (4 overs) |
