February 8, 2026, Chennai : New Zealand edged past Afghanistan in a compelling T20 World Cup encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, February 8, 2026, as the Black Caps opened their campaign with a five‑wicket victory. In a match that tested batting depth and bowling resilience under spin‑friendly conditions, New Zealand orchestrated a well‑timed chase to overhaul Afghanistan’s competitive total and lay down an early marker in Group D of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat, posting a challenging 182 for six in their allotted 20 overs on a surface that offered turn for the spinners but also scoring opportunities when paced well. Gulbadin Naib anchored the innings with a fluent 63 off 35 balls, striking three fours and four sixes to stabilize the innings after early movement had tested the top order. Sediqullah Atal contributed a brisk 29, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz (27) provided impetus at key moments.
In reply, New Zealand faced an early wobble when Mujeeb removed both Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra in quick succession. That setback did little to derail the chase as Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips built a crucial partnership, mixing caution with intent. Seifert’s 65 from 42 deliveries featured calculated aggression that kept the scoreboard ticking, while Phillips’ 42 off 25 balls added the thrust needed to keep the required rate in check. Lower down the order, Daryl Mitchell (25 not out) and skipper Mitchell Santner (17 not out) saw the Black Caps home with 13 balls to spare, completing one of New Zealand’s highest successful chases in T20 World Cup history.
The Afghanistan bowling unit chipped in with key contributions as well, with Mujeeb Ur Rahman finishing with two wickets and Rashid Khan claiming one, but they were unable to choke the flow of runs at critical junctures. New Zealand’s bowlers had earlier maintained control in phases, with Lockie Ferguson picking up two scalps to keep the pressure on the Afghan batting lineup.
Brief Scores:
Afghanistan 182 for 6 (20 overs; Gulbadin Naib 63, Sediqullah Atal 29; Lockie Ferguson 2/32)
New Zealand 183 for 5 (17.5 overs; Tim Seifert 65, Glenn Phillips 42; Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/31)
