New Zealand vs Afghanistan highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Tim Seifert shines as New Zealand beat Afghanistan by five wickets in Chennai

Turning the Page - That brings us to the end of this game, where New Zealand avenge their defeat from the 2024 T20 World Cup and put Afghanistan under early pressure in Group D. The action now shifts to Group C, where England take on Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The toss has already taken place, with England set to bat first, and with the match starting shortly, you can switch tabs to enjoy all the coverage of the match. Cheers!

The victorious skipper of New Zealand - Mitchell Santner describes it as a good game, saying Afghanistan were a threat and it was a massive game. He feels Afghanistan challenged New Zealand a lot, as they thought they would, and the pitch was sticky to start. Santner notes they're playing in seven grounds, so getting a read on grounds and conditions quickly is crucial. He highlights the importance of Powerplays, with Mujeeb posing a challenge. Santner adds that the wicket ended up being flat, and having a batter at 8 is nice, though they could be sharper. Santner thinks 180 was par and they were looking for partnerships, with the cutters holding up well.

The captain of Afghanistan - Rashid Khan says that he is disappointed with the defeat. Adds that they put up a good total on the board, but they did not bowl well, and leaked too many runs in the middle overs. Mentions that they will have to learn quickly and execute better in the next games. Says that bowling wicket to wicket was the way to go, but they were inconsistent with their lines and lengths. Praises the batting unit for their effort in this game, but also says that they can improve in the first six overs with the bat.

Presentation Time...

A strong start that slipped away - Afghanistan started brightly with the ball, with Mujeeb setting the tone by picking up two wickets in his first over. However, they could not build on that and allowed a big partnership to develop. Rashid did manage to break it, but by then the damage was already done. Azmatullah Omarzai and Nabi also got among the wickets, but apart from Mujeeb, no other bowler could contain the runs. Rashid dropping Seifert on 48 also proved costly, as who knows, that could have made the game a lot closer.

Naib sparks Afghan surge - Earlier in the game, Afghanistan put up a strong total on the board, courtesy of a career-best in T20Is from Gulbadin Naib, who smashed 63 off 35. He was well supported by Atal as the pair added a crucial 79-run stand in the middle to set the platform, before Rasool and Omarzai provided the finishing touches. For New Zealand, Henry was the pick of the bowlers, picking up a wicket and keeping things tight, while Duffy, Ferguson and Ravindra also chipped in with wickets but were on the expensive side. Santner, though, bowled a very economical spell, conceding just 23 runs in his four overs, or else they would have been chasing something even bigger.

Black Caps cruise home - New Zealand were rocked early at 14/2, but they did not panic. Tim Seifert continued his good form, anchoring the chase, while Glenn Phillips took on the role of aggressor. The pair added 74 runs together, with Seifert bringing up a well-made half-century and Phillips' 42 off 25 proving crucial in shifting the momentum. They could not stay till the end, but Mark Chapman added valuable runs to take them closer, before Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner finished the job with more than a couple of overs to spare.

NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup Live Score: New Zealand beat Afghanistan by five wickets in Chennai

Tim Seifert’s fiery 65 off 42 balls propelled New Zealand to a five-wicket win over Afghanistan in a high-stakes ICC T20 World Cup encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Seifert’s innings, featuring seven fours and three sixes, earned him the Man of the Match award.

Afghanistan had posted 182-6 in 20 overs, led by Gulbadin Naib’s 63 off 35 balls. Sediqullah Atal (29) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (27) provided support, but extras helped the visitors post a challenging target. Lockie Ferguson (2-40) and Rachin Ravindra (1-14) picked up wickets, keeping New Zealand on edge.

New Zealand’s chase began with early setbacks as Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra fell to Mujeeb Ur Rahman inside two overs. Seifert, however, countered with a composed and aggressive innings, building a 74-run partnership with Glenn Phillips (42 off 25) that steadied the chase. Mark Chapman (28) and Daryl Mitchell (25*) ensured the chase stayed on track.

Despite wickets from Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai, New Zealand reached 183-5 in 17.5 overs, completing their highest T20 World Cup successful chase.

The win was a complete team effort, with the bowlers setting up a defendable target and the top order delivering under pressure. For Afghanistan, it was a missed opportunity to continue their 2024 dominance over New Zealand, but Seifert’s brilliance proved decisive.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Tim Seifert receives the award for his excellent knock of 65 runs off 42 balls. He is happy to start the tournament with a win and some runs on the board, acknowledging the tough conditions. He notes that losing early wickets made it challenging, but he is pleased they got the job done. Seifert says he and Finn Allen looked to put pressure on the bowlers, opting for pace over spin initially, but adapted as the innings progressed, finding spin became easier to handle. He ends by saying he is always working on his game, leveraging experience from playing globally and in franchise leagues, and backing himself to adapt to conditions.

Kiwis rewrite the script - New Zealand are up and running in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, pulling off their highest successful chase in T20 World Cups. From losing by 84 runs to Afghanistan in the last edition to producing this complete performance, the Kiwis have come a long way. Afghanistan, though, will need to buckle up quickly, as gaining momentum is very essential in this tournament. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Daryl Mitchell, Another full toss, around off, Daryl Mitchell knocks this down to long on for a single to seal the game. New Zealand win this by 5 wickets and 13 balls to spare.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Daryl Mitchell, SIX! SCORES ARE LEVEL! High full toss, on middle, Daryl Mitchell muscles this over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region to level the scores. This is sent upstairs for a check on the height of the ball and the replay shows that it was clearly below the waist height. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Mitchell Santner, Hard length on off, Mitchell Santner pushes this to covers and takes a quick one. The ball hits Mitchell Santner as the throw comes in and Rashid Khan and Mitchell Santner share a light-hearted moment. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Mitchell Santner, FOUR! That's an excellent stroke from Mitchell Santner. Short and wide of off, Mitchell Santner hangs onto his back foot and cuts this late through the backward point region for a boundary.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Daryl Mitchell, Good length on middle and off, Daryl Mitchell tucks this through mid-wicket for one.

The last two balls have taken the Kiwis well ahead in the chase. They just need 13 runs in 18 balls now. Here is Azmatullah Omarzai to bowl the 18th over.

Ziaur Rahman to Mitchell Santner, SIX! This settles the dust to an extent, as New Zealand now needs just 13 more to win off the last 3 overs. On a length around middle and leg, Mitchell Santner presents a full face of his bat and lifts this over the fence towards the long off region for a biggie.

Ziaur Rahman to Mitchell Santner, FOUR! Santner eases the pressure on the Kiwis. Good length on middle and leg, Mitchell Santner backs away and steps down the track. Chips this over the fielder at the extra cover region for a boundary. 19 needed off 19!

Ziaur Rahman to Mitchell Santner, Overthrows! Full and on off, Mitchell Santner rolls this to mid off and sets off for a single. Mohammad Nabi fields this and has a go at the stumps towards the non-striker's end but misses. The ball goes through the fielder backing from mid-wicket and the keeper as well for an extra run.

Ziaur Rahman to Mitchell Santner, Yorker, on off. Mitchell Santner pushes this to covers for a dot.

Ziaur Rahman to Daryl Mitchell, Slower one, short and on off, Daryl Mitchell forces this to long on for a single. 

Ziaur Rahman to Daryl Mitchell, Full and on the pads, Daryl flicks this through square leg for two.

Ziaur Rahman (2-0-18-0) is back on.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Mitchell Santner, Good length around off, Mitchell Santner stays back to push inside the line but gets beaten on the outside edge again. A top over at this stage. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Mitchell Santner, Beauty from Azmatullah Omarzai. Azmat comes around the stumps, bowls it on a length and shapes it away from the batter. Mitchell Santner pokes at it, away from his body and gets beaten on the outside edge. 

New Zealand lose half their side now. Skipper Mitchell Santner comes out to the middle now.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Mark Chapman, OUT! CAUGHT! Mark Chapman departs after scoring 28 off 17 balls. Slower one, around middle and leg, on a length. Mark Chapman backs away and looks to chip this over the fielder at covers but ends up chipping this straight into the safe hands of Rashid Khan standing inside the ring. NZ still need 28 off 26 balls.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Daryl Mitchell, Slower one, back of a length on middle and off. Daryl Mitchell works this through mid-wicket for a run.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Mark Chapman, Good length on middle and off, Mark Chapman chips this to long on for a single. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Mark Chapman, Slower one, short and around off, Mark Chapman swings early and the ball arrives late. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Daryl Mitchell, A beamer over the waist of Daryl Mitchell and he tucks this through square leg for a single. The umpire doesn't give it a NO BALL straightaway and sends it upstairs for an official review. The replay shows that this is over the waist of Daryl Mitchell and it is called a NO BALL. Free Hit to follow.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mark Chapman, Shortish and around off, Mark Chapman punches it through cover-point for a brace. Also, 150 up for New Zealand! They need 32 runs in 30 balls now.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mark Chapman, FOUR! Clever batting! Flatter delivery, full and around leg, Mark Chapman moves across to get inside the line of it and scoops it to the fine leg fence for a boundary now.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mark Chapman, SIX! A freebie and gladly accepted! Mujeeb Ur Rahman dishes out a loopy full toss, begging to be put away. Mark Chapman is not going to miss out on that and slogs it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Daryl Mitchell, Floated, full and on middle, Daryl Mitchell eases it to long on for another run.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mark Chapman, Short again and on leg, Mark Chapman clips it to deep square leg for a run.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Daryl Mitchell, Short and on middle, Daryl Mitchell flicks it towards mid-wicket for a quick single.

NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup Live Score: Tim Seifert in T20Is

Tim Seifert in T20Is since 2025

Inngs: 19
Runs: 727
Avg: 45.4
SR: 163.4
HS: 97* vs PAK

DRINKS! Time for the final drinks break of the contest and New Zealand finds themselves in the driver's seat at this break. The Kiwis need 47 more runs off the last 6 overs to win this contest. A couple of quick wickets might just give an opening to the Afghans, as after this pair, the Kiwis will be left with Mitchell Santner, James Neesham, and the tail.

Rashid Khan to Daryl Mitchell, Flatter, full and on middle, Daryl Mitchell flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one. He wants the second but will have to settle for just one. 4-0-36-1, Rashid is done with the ball. 

Rashid Khan to Daryl Mitchell, Drags his length back, on middle, Daryl Mitchell stays back and nudges it towards mid-wicket and calls his partner for the second run. The throw comes in at the bowler's end, where Chapman puts in a dive to make his ground.

Rashid Khan to Mark Chapman, A leg-break, short and on middle, turns in, Mark Chapman works it through square leg for one.

Rashid Khan to Daryl Mitchell, Tossed up, full and on middle, Daryl Mitchell clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

Rashid Khan to Daryl Mitchell, FOUR! Innovative and effective! Flatter, full and around off, Daryl Mitchell changes his stance quickly, and executes the reverse sweep past short third for a boundary.

Rashid Khan to Mark Chapman, Flighted, full and on middle, Mark Chapman drills it to long off for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Daryl Mitchell, Slows it up, full and on leg, Daryl Mitchell tucks it with soft hands through square leg and comes back for the second run. 18 runs and a wicket from the over. 

Daryl Mitchell replaces Tim Seifert in the middle. Tim Seifert was on 48 when Rashid Khan dropped him and after adding 17 more to his total, Tim departs.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Seifert, OUT! CAUGHT! Mohammad Nabi has the last laugh here, and he gets a massive wicket for Afghanistan. This is bowled quicker and shorter, on leg, keeps a bit low. Tim Seifert rocks back to pull it away but gets cramped up. He gets into an awkward position while playing the shot and gets no elevation. It flies straight to deep square leg, where Azmatullah Omarzai comes forward and takes a good catch under pressure. Seifert departs after a well-made 65 off 42, and the Kiwis are four down now. 59 needed off 43 balls. 

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Seifert, FOUR! A boundary now! Mohammad Nabi fires this full and outside off. Tim Seifert extends his arms to reach out for it and smacks it through covers for four runs.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Seifert, SIX! Up, up and away! Floated, full and on middle, Tim Seifert goes down on one knee, stretches out in front and nails the slog sweep over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen more.