T-20 World Cup: Seifert, Phillips Power New Zealand to Record Win

The midday sun had barely peaked at Chepauk when Gulbadin Naib creamed another boundary through the off-side, sparking a ripple of applause that seemed to reflect Afghanistan’s growing belief. The Afghan all-rounder was moving like a man on a mission—and for good reason. His 63 off 35 balls was the backbone of a 182 for 6 total that promised a tense chase and teased memories of their stunning win over New Zealand at the previous T20 World Cup.

Having won the toss and elected to bat first on a Chepauk pitch that has traditionally been known to offer much for spinners, Afghanistan got to a flying start in the afternoon. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran had edged their way to a promising 44 for 2 before Lockie Ferguson broke through, but Naib and Sediqullah Atal put together a gritty 79-run partnership that gave Afghanistan momentum. As boundaries flowed in the final overs, there was a sense that a score of 182 might be just enough to trouble the New Zealand chase. Afghanistan believed. They believed that they had a score that they could defend.

What followed was a story of contrast.

When New Zealand took to the crease, spin waited; the pitch showed variable bounce and the ball gripped sharply. Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck in his second over, removing Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra in quick succession and reminding the Kiwis that this chase would not be simple.

But then came Tim Seifert. In a partnership that would define the match, Seifert and Glenn Phillips steadied the chase with calmness. Seifert, in particular, looked like a batter with a point to prove. With a flurry of boundaries and quick running between the wickets, he kept pushing the target closer, ending with 65 off 42 balls. Phillips contributed a vital 42 from 25, finding gaps and keeping the asking rate under control.

“I just wanted to get a few runs on the board for us,” Seifert said after the game. “There were a couple of early wickets, so it’s nice to get the job done.” That simple reflection captured the spirit of the chase.

By the time the 15th over of New Zealand’s chase arrived, Rashid Khan had his hands on his hips at mid-off, staring down the pitch. The field was set. The lengths were right. Afghanistan had done most things correctly. And yet the game had slipped away from them in small, silent pieces.

Afghanistan’s spinners tested the Kiwi batters well, with Mujeeb chipping in at crucial moments, but New Zealand barely faltered. When Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell chipped in with late cameos, the game was already in the bag for the Kiwis. By 17.5 overs, New Zealand had reached 183 for 5, winning by five wickets with 13 balls to spare — their highest successful T20 World Cup chase.

For Afghanistan, the loss will sting. Their batters showed they can build and accelerate. But for New Zealand, this was a reminder of their own method. They absorbed early pressure, trusted their batting depth, and never allowed the chase to drift out of control. Even when Afghanistan found moments with the ball, New Zealand stayed clear-headed to bring home their two points.