New Zealand Seal Highest-Ever T20 World Cup Run-Chase, Beat Afghanistan By 5 Wickets

New Zealand began their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a statement victory, successfully chasing 183 to defeat Afghanistan by five wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. The chase, completed with 13 balls to spare, marked the Black Caps’ highest successful run-chase in T20 World Cup history.

The pursuit, however, began in disarray. Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Ur Rahman produced a stunning second over, removing Finn Allen for 1 and dismissing Rachin Ravindra for a golden duck on consecutive deliveries. At 14/2, Afghanistan appeared firmly in control.

Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips, though, steadied the innings with a counterattacking 74-run partnership. Both batters refused to let Afghanistan’s spinners dictate on a traditionally slow Chepauk surface. Phillips was the aggressor, hammering 42 off just 25 balls, including seven fours and a six, before Rashid Khan broke the stand.

Seifert continued to anchor the innings brilliantly. He raised his half-century in 39 balls and top-scored with 65 off 42 deliveries, laced with seven boundaries and three sixes. His dismissal to Mohammad Nabi in the 13th over momentarily raised New Zealand’s nerves, as they slipped to 155/5 in 16 overs.

However, Mitchell Santner (17* off 8) and Daryl Mitchell (25* off 14) ensured there were no further twists, guiding New Zealand home comfortably.

Earlier, Afghanistan posted a strong 182/6 after winning the toss and opting to bat. The innings began cautiously, with New Zealand’s pacers exploiting extra bounce in the morning session. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looked promising with 27 off 22 balls, but Lockie Ferguson turned the tide in the sixth over. He dismissed Ibrahim Zadran for 10 and bowled Gurbaz on the last ball of the powerplay, reducing Afghanistan to 44/2.

Gulbadin Naib then took charge. Displaying brilliant middle-overs acceleration, he smashed 63 off 35 balls, hitting four sixes and three boundaries. His half-century came off just 29 deliveries. Partnering with Sediqullah Atal (29 off 24), he stitched a 79-run partnership that lifted Afghanistan out of early trouble.

Atal fell to Jacob Duffy while attempting to up the scoring rate, but Darwish Rasool (20 off 13) and Azmatullah Omarzai (10 off 7) added valuable finishing touches to take Afghanistan to 182/6.

Despite setting a challenging total, Afghanistan’s early breakthroughs were not enough to derail New Zealand’s composed and aggressive chase. The win gives the Black Caps a strong opening to their World Cup campaign as they move ahead with momentum and confidence.