Seifert, Phillips Power New Zealand to Record T20 World Cup Chase Against Afghanistan

New Zealand began their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a five-wicket win over Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, successfully chasing down a target of 183 with 13 balls to spare.

The victory also marked New Zealand’s highest successful run-chase in T20 World Cup history.

Despite an early wobble caused by Afghanistan’s spin attack, a composed half-century from Tim Seifert and an aggressive cameo from Glenn Phillips ensured the Black Caps crossed the line comfortably in their opening Group D fixture.

Chasing 183, New Zealand’s innings got off to a chaotic start as Mujeeb Ur Rahman turned the game on its head in the second over.

He removed Finn Allen for 1 and Rachin Ravindra for a duck on consecutive deliveries, leaving New Zealand struggling at 14/2 and giving Afghanistan early control.

Seifert and Phillips Counter Spin to Swing Momentum New Zealand’s Way

The recovery was led by Seifert and Phillips, who refused to allow the spinners to dictate terms on the sluggish Chepauk surface.

The pair added a brisk 74-run partnership that shifted the momentum. Phillips took the attacking role, scoring 42 off 25 balls with seven boundaries and a six before being dismissed by Rashid Khan.

Seifert held the innings together, reaching his half-century off 39 balls. He eventually top-scored with 65 off 42 deliveries, hitting seven fours and three sixes.

His dismissal in the 13th over, bowled by Mohammad Nabi, triggered a brief period of uncertainty as New Zealand slipped to 155/5 in 16 overs.

Mitchell Santner, unbeaten on 17 off 8 balls, and Daryl Mitchell, unbeaten on 25 off 14, then guided the side home with five wickets in hand.

Earlier, Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first. A masterclass in middle-overs acceleration from Gulbadin Naib lifted Afghanistan to a competitive 182/6, despite a sluggish beginning and a double-strike from Lockie Ferguson that had put them under pressure.

After Rashid Khan elected to bat, Afghanistan’s openers faced a disciplined New Zealand pace attack that made use of the morning bounce.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 27 off 22 balls and showed flashes of aggression, but the momentum shifted in the sixth over.

Ferguson broke the opening stand by inducing an edge from Ibrahim Zadran, who scored 10, to backward point, and then dismissed Gurbaz with the final ball of the powerplay. Afghanistan were 44/2 at that stage.

The middle overs belonged to Naib, who took control after joining Sediqullah Atal. Naib reached his half-century in just 29 balls and finished with 63 off 35 deliveries, including four sixes and three boundaries.

Atal contributed 29 off 24 balls, rotating the strike and supporting Naib in a 79-run partnership for the third wicket.

Atal was dismissed by Kacob Duffy as Afghanistan looked to accelerate further, but Darwish Rasool, who made 20 off 13 balls, and Azmatullah Omarzai, who scored 10 off 7, provided late impetus to take the total to 182/6, a score that ultimately proved insufficient against New Zealand’s measured chase.

(With inputs from ANI)