New zealand vs afghanistan highlights: New Zealand delivered one of their most memorable performances in ICC T20 World Cup history by pulling off their highest successful run chase ever in the tournament. In a thrilling Group-stage encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, the Black Caps chased down 183 runs in just 17.5 overs, defeating Afghanistan by five wickets to begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion.
This victory was not just another group-stage win. It rewrote New Zealand’s T20 World Cup record books and showcased their batting depth, composure under pressure, and tactical clarity against a highly competitive Afghanistan side.
Match Overview
| Match | New Zealand vs Afghanistan |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Result | New Zealand won by 5 wickets |
| Afghanistan Score | 182/6 (20 overs) |
| New Zealand Score | 183/5 (17.5 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Tim Seifert |
Afghanistan Set a Strong Target After Winning the Toss
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan won the toss and chose to bat first, backing his batting unit to post a challenging total on a Chennai pitch known for assisting spinners as the match progresses.
Afghanistan’s innings was anchored by a commanding knock from Gulbadin Naib, who played with power and control to lift his team to a competitive score.
Afghanistan Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulbadin Naib | 63 | 29 | 4 | 3 |
| Sediqullah Atal | 29 | 22 | 3 | 0 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 27 | 21 | 2 | 1 |
| Darwish Rasooli | 20 | 16 | 1 | 1 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 14 | 7 | 0 | 2 |
| Others | 29 | – | – | – |
| Total | 182/6 | 20 overs |
Naib’s innings stood out for its balance. He punished loose deliveries, rotated strike efficiently, and reached his fourth international T20 half-century in just 29 balls, pushing Afghanistan into a strong position during the middle overs.
Key Turning Points in Afghanistan’s Innings
Powerplay Momentum and Ferguson’s Double Blow
Afghanistan began steadily, but the sixth over changed the momentum dramatically. Lockie Ferguson produced a decisive spell, dismissing Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the same over.
| Over | Key Event |
|---|---|
| 6.1 | Zadran caught at backward point |
| 6.6 | Gurbaz bowled by slower delivery |
These wickets prevented Afghanistan from fully capitalising on the powerplay.
Atal–Naib Partnership Stabilises the Innings
Despite early setbacks, Sediqullah Atal and Gulbadin Naib stitched together a vital 79-run partnership, rebuilding the innings and shifting pressure back onto New Zealand.
The partnership ended in the 14th over when Atal mistimed a pull shot off a slower delivery and was caught by the wicketkeeper.
Rachin Ravindra Breaks the Backbone
In the 17th over, Rachin Ravindra dismissed Naib with a well-disguised back-of-a-length delivery, bringing an end to Afghanistan’s most dangerous batter.
| Bowler | Wickets | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Lockie Ferguson | 2 | 4 |
| Matt Henry | 1 | 4 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 1 | 3 |
| Jacob Duffy | 1 | 4 |
Afghanistan finished at 182/6, a total considered above par but not unbeatable given New Zealand’s batting depth.
New Zealand Begin Chase Poorly but Recover Brilliantly
Chasing 183, New Zealand suffered an early wobble when Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in his very first over, removing Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra.
| Over | Wicket |
|---|---|
| 2.3 | Finn Allen b Mujeeb |
| 2.4 | Rachin Ravindra lbw b Mujeeb |
At 14/2, Afghanistan sensed an opportunity, but what followed was a masterclass in counter-attacking T20 batting.
Tim Seifert Leads the Fightback With Explosive Fifty
Opening batter Tim Seifert played one of the finest knocks of his T20 career. He attacked Afghanistan’s spinners fearlessly, lifted the run rate, and ensured New Zealand never fell too far behind the required pace.
Tim Seifert Innings Breakdown
| Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | 42 | 154.76 | 7 | 3 |
Seifert reached his half-century with back-to-back sixes, showcasing clean hitting and confident footwork.
He was eventually dismissed in the 13th over, caught on the boundary while attempting another big hit, but by then the damage was already done.
Glenn Phillips Adds Stability and Firepower
Glenn Phillips complemented Seifert perfectly, playing aggressively yet smartly against spin.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Boundaries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Phillips | 42 | 25 | 7 fours, 1 six |
Phillips was bowled by Rashid Khan in the ninth over, but his contribution kept the chase firmly on track.
Middle Overs: Momentum Shifts Constantly
Afghanistan attempted a comeback through tight bowling spells from Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi, including a 16th over that conceded just four runs and claimed the wicket of Mark Chapman.
| Chapman Dismissal | Details |
|---|---|
| Over | 15.4 |
| Bowler | Azmatullah Omarzai |
| Runs | 28 (17 balls) |
However, New Zealand’s calm approach ensured the required rate never spiralled out of control.
Daryl Mitchell Finishes the Job Calmly
With pressure mounting, Daryl Mitchell showed his experience, remaining unbeaten and guiding New Zealand to victory.
| Batter | Runs | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Daryl Mitchell | 25 | Not Out |
New Zealand reached 183/5 in 17.5 overs, sealing a historic win.
Highest Successful Run Chase for New Zealand in T20 World Cup
This chase surpassed New Zealand’s previous T20 World Cup best of 167 vs England (2021), making it their highest successful chase in tournament history.
Team Line-ups
New Zealand Playing XI
| Player |
|---|
| Finn Allen |
| Tim Seifert |
| Rachin Ravindra |
| Glenn Phillips |
| Daryl Mitchell |
| Mark Chapman |
| Mitchell Santner (C) |
| James Neesham |
| Jacob Duffy |
| Lockie Ferguson |
| Matt Henry |
Afghanistan Playing XI
| Player |
|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
| Ibrahim Zadran |
| Sediqullah Atal |
| Darwish Rasooli |
| Azmatullah Omarzai |
| Mohammad Nabi |
| Gulbadin Naib |
| Rashid Khan (C) |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi |
| Zia-ur-Rehman |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman |
Head-to-Head Record Before the Match
| Matches | NZ Wins | AFG Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Afghanistan had dominated their previous World Cup meeting, making this win especially significant for New Zealand.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Chepauk Pitch Report
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Nature | Spin-friendly |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 171 |
| Chasing Teams Wins | 2 of 3 matches |
Chennai Weather on Match Day
| Condition | Status |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 31–32°C |
| Humidity | High |
| Rain | None |
What This Win Means for New Zealand
This victory places New Zealand in a strong position early in the tournament. The confidence gained from chasing a large total against a quality bowling attack could define their campaign moving forward.
For Afghanistan, despite the loss, there were positives in batting intent and spin control, though execution at key moments proved costly.
Also read: New Zealand vs Afghanistan Prediction: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group Stage
Conclusion:-New zealand vs afghanistan highlights
The New zealand vs afghanistan highlights will be remembered for New Zealand’s fearless batting, Tim Seifert’s match-winning knock, and a historic run chase that set the tone for the rest of the T20 World Cup 2026.
This match reinforced why New Zealand remain one of the most dangerous teams in world cricket—calm under pressure, tactically sharp, and capable of delivering when it matters most.