New Zealand Script T20 World Cup Record Run Chase to Beat Afghanistan by Five Wickets
New Zealand opened their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a landmark victory, defeating Afghanistan by five wickets at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday while registering their highest successful run-chase in T20 World Cup history.
Chasing a challenging target of 183, the Black Caps reached the total with 13 balls to spare, overcoming early setbacks through a composed half-century from Tim Seifert and an explosive counterattack by Glenn Phillips. The win came despite a strong start by Afghanistan’s spin attack, which briefly put New Zealand under serious pressure on a sluggish Chepauk surface.
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New Zealand’s chase began in dramatic fashion as Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in the second over, dismissing Finn Allen for one and Rachin Ravindra for a duck on consecutive deliveries. At 14 for 2, Afghanistan appeared to have seized early control of the contest. However, Seifert and Phillips steadied the innings and refused to allow the spinners to dominate.
The pair put together a rapid 74-run partnership, shifting momentum decisively in New Zealand’s favour. Phillips led the charge with an aggressive knock of 42 off 25 balls, smashing seven boundaries and a six before being dismissed by Rashid Khan. Seifert anchored the chase with a calm and assured innings, bringing up his half-century off 39 balls and eventually scoring 65 off 42 deliveries, including seven fours and three sixes.
After Seifert fell in the 13th over, there were brief nerves in the New Zealand camp as the score slipped to 155 for 5 in the 16th over. However, Mitchell Santner and Daryl Mitchell ensured there were no further scares, guiding the team home with composed unbeaten knocks. Santner finished on 17 off eight balls, while Mitchell contributed an unbeaten 25 off 14, sealing the record chase with five wickets in hand.
Earlier, Afghanistan had posted a competitive 182 for 6 after winning the toss and opting to bat first. Their innings recovered strongly from a shaky start, thanks largely to a superb middle-overs assault led by Gulbadin Naib. New Zealand’s pace bowlers made early inroads, with Lockie Ferguson striking twice in the powerplay to remove Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, leaving Afghanistan at 44 for 2.
From there, Naib took charge of the innings, combining with Sediqullah Atal to rebuild and then accelerate. Naib reached his half-century in just 29 balls and went on to score a fluent 63 off 35 deliveries, hitting four sixes and three boundaries. Atal supported him well with 29 off 24 balls, rotating the strike effectively during their 79-run partnership for the third wicket.
Even after Atal’s dismissal, Afghanistan maintained momentum through late contributions from Darwish Rasool, who scored 20 off 13 balls, and Azmatullah Omarzai, who added 10 off seven deliveries. Their efforts helped Afghanistan finish on a strong 182 for 6, a total that initially appeared more than competitive on the slow Chennai pitch.
However, New Zealand’s calm approach under pressure and decisive middle-overs batting proved the difference. The Black Caps not only secured a vital opening win in Group D but also etched their name into the record books with their highest successful run-chase in T20 World Cup history, setting the tone for their campaign in the tournament.
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