The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 delivered an exciting contest in Match 4 as New Zealand chased down 183 against Afghanistan with 13 balls to spare. Tim Seifert starred with a brilliant 65 off 42 balls, earning both the Player of the Match and Cricinfo’s MVP awards, as the Kiwis cruised to a 5-wicket victory at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on February 8.
For Afghanistan, Gulbadin Naib played a stunning knock of 63 off 35 balls, smashing 3 fours and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 180.00. Mujeeb Ur Rahman picked up 2 wickets for 31 runs in his 4 overs, but the Afghan bowlers could not defend the total as New Zealand’s middle order took the game away with aggressive batting.
Match Summary: AFG vs NZ
Here is the complete match summary of this Group D clash:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan Score | 182/6 (20 overs) |
| New Zealand Score | 183/5 (17.5 overs) |
| Match Result | New Zealand won by 5 wickets (13 balls remaining) |
| Best Batting (AFG) | Gulbadin Naib – 63 off 35 balls (3 fours, 4 sixes) |
| Best Batting (NZ) | Tim Seifert – 65 off 42 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes) |
| Best Bowling (AFG) | Mujeeb Ur Rahman – 2/31 in 4 overs (Econ: 7.75) |
| Best Bowling (NZ) | Lockie Ferguson – 2/40 in 4 overs (Econ: 10.00) |
| Player of the Match | Tim Seifert (NZ) |
New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl first in this Group D encounter. Afghanistan posted a strong total of 182/6 thanks to Gulbadin Naib’s explosive innings. However, Tim Seifert anchored the chase with a match-winning 65, supported by Glenn Phillips (42) and useful contributions from Mark Chapman (28), Daryl Mitchell (25*), and Mitchell Santner (17*).
Afghanistan Innings: 182/6 in 20 Overs
Afghanistan had a shaky start in the powerplay, managing just 44 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in the first 6 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who usually fires in the powerplay, scored 27 off 22 balls with 2 fours and a six before Lockie Ferguson sent him back. Ibrahim Zadran fell even earlier, caught by Glenn Phillips off Ferguson for just 10 off 12 balls.
The game changed when Gulbadin Naib walked in. He took charge from ball one and played the best innings of the match. Naib smashed 63 off just 35 balls at a strike rate of 180.00, hitting 3 fours and 4 massive sixes. He brought up his fifty in just 29 balls and formed a strong 79-run partnership with Sediqullah Atal for the third wicket.
Sediqullah Atal supported well at the other end, scoring 29 off 24 balls with 2 fours. He fell in the 14th over, caught behind off Jacob Duffy, after helping Afghanistan cross the 120-run mark. Darwish Rasooli added a quick 20 off 13 balls before Glenn Phillips caught him off Matt Henry’s bowling.
Azmatullah Omarzai chipped in with a cameo of 14 off 7 balls, including 2 sixes, before getting run out in the 20th over. Mohammad Nabi did not out on 10 off 7 balls. Afghanistan finished their innings at 182/6, a competitive total on the Chennai pitch. The extras column showed 9 runs (3 leg byes, 6 wides), and the overall run rate was 9.10.
New Zealand Chase: 183/5 in 17.5 Overs
New Zealand’s chase got off to a terrible start. Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in the early overs, removing Finn Allen for just 1 off 2 balls and Rachin Ravindra for a duck off the very next ball. At 14/2 after just 1.4 overs, the Kiwis were in deep trouble.
Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips then turned the match around. The pair put on a 74-run stand for the third wicket, pushing the score from 14/2 to 88/3. Phillips played an attacking knock of 42 off 25 balls, smashing 7 fours and a six at a strike rate of 168.00. He fell to Rashid Khan in the 10th over, but the damage was already done.
Seifert held the innings together with a classy 65 off 42 balls. He hit 7 fours and 3 sixes, reaching his fifty in 39 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes). He controlled the chase and kept the required rate in check throughout. He eventually fell in the 13th over, caught by Azmatullah Omarzai off Mohammad Nabi, but by then New Zealand had reached 124/4 and were well on their way.
Mark Chapman continued the momentum with 28 off 17 balls, hitting 2 fours and a six at a strike rate of 164.70. He fell to Azmatullah Omarzai in the 16th over, caught by Rashid Khan. But Daryl Mitchell (25* off 14 balls) and captain Mitchell Santner (17* off 8 balls) finished the job with ease. Mitchell struck at 178.57, while Santner smashed 2 fours and a six at 212.50 to seal the win in 17.5 overs.
Key Highlight: Player of the Match – Tim Seifert Steals the Show
The New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter delivered a complete performance:
- With the bat: 65 off 42 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes)
- Behind the stumps: 2 catches, including the crucial catch of Gulbadin Naib off Rachin Ravindra’s bowling
Seifert walked in when New Zealand were 14/2 after just 1.4 overs, with both openers back in the pavilion. He stayed calm, built partnerships, and took the game away from Afghanistan. His 74-run stand with Glenn Phillips for the third wicket laid the foundation, and his 36-run partnership with Mark Chapman put New Zealand in a winning position. Seifert scored at a strike rate of 154.76, finding the boundary 10 times during his innings. When the pressure was at its peak, he delivered the goods and earned the Player of the Match and Cricinfo’s MVP (68.46 points) awards.
Conclusion: Kiwis Start Their Campaign With Victory Over Afghanistan
New Zealand started their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with 2 points and a strong net run rate after this comfortable chase. The win shows that the Kiwis have depth in their batting lineup and can recover from difficult situations. Afghanistan, despite posting a competitive total of 182, will feel disappointed with their bowling and fielding in the second innings.
This Group D clash showed the quality of both teams. Gulbadin Naib’s 63 and Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s early strikes proved that Afghanistan can compete with any team. But New Zealand’s middle-order strength, led by Seifert and Phillips, made the difference. Both teams will look to build on their performances as the tournament moves forward.
