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New Zealand vs Afghanistan, Match 4 Match Summary

NZ vs AFG, 2026 - T20 Summary

New Zealand vs Afghanistan Scorecard
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Match Ended   
Match 4, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai , Feb 08, 2026
New Zealand New Zealand
183/5 (17.5/20)
Afghanistan Afghanistan
182/6 (20.0/20)
New Zealand beat Afghanistan by 5 wickets
  • Player of the Match
    Tim Seifert
    65(42)
AFG 182/6
Bat Top Batsmen
<a href=/cricket/players/1653-gulbadin-naib-playerprofile>Gulbadin Naib</a>
Gulbadin Naib
63 (35)
  • 3x4s
  • 4x6s
  • 180SR
<a href=/cricket/players/112538-sediqullah-atal-playerprofile>Sediqullah Atal</a>
Sediqullah Atal
29 (24)
  • 2x4s
  • 0x6s
  • 120.83SR
Bowl Top Bowlers
Bowler
Lockie Ferguson
ECON 10.00
4
OVERS
40/2
R/W
Bowler
Rachin Ravindra
ECON 14.00
1
OVERS
14/1
R/W
NZ 183/5
Bat Top Batsmen
<a href=/cricket/players/64292-tim-l-seifert-playerprofile>Tim Seifert</a>
Tim Seifert
65 (42)
  • 7x4s
  • 3x6s
  • 154.76SR
<a href=/cricket/players/107472-glenn-phillips-playerprofile>Glenn Phillips</a>
Glenn Phillips
42 (25)
  • 7x4s
  • 1x6s
  • 168SR
Bowl Top Bowlers
Bowler
Mujeeb Ur Rahman
ECON 7.75
4
OVERS
31/2
R/W
Bowler
Mohammad Nabi
ECON 18.00
1
OVERS
18/1
R/W
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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.
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.
Over 17.5 : 183/5
13 Runs
  • 117.1
  • 417.2
  • 117.3
  • 617.4
  • 117.5
D. Mitchell
25 (14)
M. Santner
17 (8)
A. Omarzai
3.5-0-40-1
17.5
1
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.
17.4
6
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.
17.3
1
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.
17.2
4
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.
17.1
1
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.
Over 17 : 170/5
15 Runs
  • 216.1
  • 116.2
  • 016.3
  • 216.4
  • 416.5
  • 616.6
M. Santner
12 (6)
D. Mitchell
17 (11)
Z. Rahman
3-0-33-0
16.6
6
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.
16.5
4
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!
16.4
2
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.
16.3
0
Ziaur Rahman To Mitchell Santner
Yorker, on off. Mitchell Santner pushes this to covers for a dot.
16.2
1
Ziaur Rahman To Daryl Mitchell
Slower one, short and on off, Daryl Mitchell forces this to long on for a single.
16.1
2
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.
Over 16 : 155/5
4 Runs
  • 2 NB 15.1
  • 015.1
  • 115.2
  • 115.3
  • W 15.4
  • 015.5
  • 015.6
M. Santner
0 (2)
D. Mitchell
14 (9)
A. Omarzai
3-0-27-1
15.6
0
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.
15.5
0
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.
15.4
W
Azmatullah Omarzai To Mark Chapman OUT!
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.
15.3
1
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.
15.2
1
Azmatullah Omarzai To Mark Chapman
Good length on middle and off, Mark Chapman chips this to long on for a single.
15.1
0
Azmatullah Omarzai To Mark Chapman
Slower one, short and around off, Mark Chapman swings early and the ball arrives late.
15.1
nb
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.
Full Commentary
17 OV
15 Runs
Z. Rahman to D. Mitchell M. Santner
  • 216.1
  • 116.2
  • 016.3
  • 216.4
  • 416.5
  • 616.6
16 OV
4 Runs
A. Omarzai to D. Mitchell M. Chapman M. Santner
  • 2 NB 15.1
  • 015.1
  • 115.2
  • 115.3
  • W 15.4
  • 015.5
  • 015.6
15 OV
15 Runs
Ur Rahman to D. Mitchell M. Chapman
  • 114.1
  • 114.2
  • 114.3
  • 614.4
  • 414.5
  • 214.6
14 OV
10 Runs
R. Khan to M. Chapman D. Mitchell
  • 113.1
  • 413.2
  • 113.3
  • 113.4
  • 213.5
  • 113.6
13 OV
18 Runs
M. Nabi to T. Seifert D. Mitchell
  • 012.1
  • 612.2
  • 612.3
  • 412.4
  • W 12.5
  • 212.6
12 OV
7 Runs
R. Khan to T. Seifert M. Chapman
  • 411.1
  • 011.2
  • 011.3
  • 111.4
  • 211.5
  • 011.6
11 OV
9 Runs
Z. Rahman to T. Seifert M. Chapman
  • 110.1
  • 410.2
  • 210.3
  • 110.4
  • 010.5
  • 110.6
10 OV
5 Runs
R. Khan to T. Seifert G. Phillips M. Chapman
  • 19.1
  • W 9.2
  • 19.3
  • 19.4
  • 29.5
  • 09.6
9 OV
12 Runs
A. Omarzai to G. Phillips T. Seifert
  • 18.1
  • 18.2
  • 48.3
  • 48.4
  • 18.5
  • 18.6
8 OV
9 Runs
Z. Rahman to G. Phillips T. Seifert
  • 17.1
  • 3 NB 7.2
  • 07.2
  • 1 WD 7.3
  • 07.3
  • 17.4
  • 17.5
  • 27.6
7 OV
14 Runs
R. Khan to T. Seifert G. Phillips
  • 16.1
  • 16.2
  • 16.3
  • 66.4
  • 46.5
  • 16.6
6 OV
8 Runs
Ur Rahman to G. Phillips
  • 05.1
  • 45.2
  • 05.3
  • 05.4
  • 45.5
  • 05.6
5 OV
13 Runs
F. Farooqi to G. Phillips T. Seifert
  • 14.1
  • 04.2
  • 44.3
  • 64.4
  • 24.5
  • 04.6
4 OV
6 Runs
Ur Rahman to T. Seifert G. Phillips
  • 13.1
  • 03.2
  • 43.3
  • 13.4
  • 03.5
  • 03.6
3 OV
11 Runs
A. Omarzai to T. Seifert G. Phillips
  • 02.1
  • 42.2
  • 1 WD 2.3
  • 02.3
  • 12.4
  • 1 WD 2.5
  • 42.5
  • 02.6
2 OV
2 Runs
Ur Rahman to F. Allen T. Seifert R. Ravindra G. Phillips
  • 11.1
  • 11.2
  • W 1.3
  • W 1.4
  • 01.5
  • 01.6
1 OV
12 Runs
F. Farooqi to T. Seifert
  • 00.1
  • 00.2
  • 40.3
  • 40.4
  • 00.5
  • 40.6
Match Info
  • Venue MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
  • Weather Sunny
  • Toss Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat
  • Result New Zealand beat Afghanistan by 5 wickets
  • Player of the Match Tim Seifert
  • Umpire Alex Wharf (ENG), Langton Rusere (ZIM) and Adrian Holdstock (SA)
  • Referee Ranjan Madugalle (SL)
Match Notes
  • Innings Break: Afghanistan 182/6 in 20.0 overs
  • Afghanistan 150/3 in 16.6 overs
  • G Naib 4th T20I fifty: 50 runs in 29 balls (2x4) (3x6)
  • Drinks: Afghanistan 115/2 in 14.0 overs
  • Afghanistan 103/2 in 12.4 overs
  • 3rd wkt Partnership: 52 off 37 balls between G Naib (25) and S Atal (24)
  • Afghanistan 50/2 in 7.3 overs
  • Mandatory Power play (1-6): Afghanistan 44/2
  • Referral 1 (4.3 ovs): NZ against I Zadran (LBW) Unsuccessful (NZ: 1, AFG: 2)
  • New Zealand 151/4 in 14.6 overs
  • Drinks: New Zealand 136/4 in 14.0 overs
  • T Seifert 14th T20I fifty: 55 runs in 39 balls (6x4) (2x6)
  • T Seifert dropped on 48 by R Khan in 11.2 overs
  • New Zealand 100/3 in 10.4 overs
  • 3rd wkt Partnership: 51 off 31 balls between T Seifert (20) and G Phillips (29)
  • Drinks: New Zealand 52/2 in 6.0 overs
  • Mandatory Power play (1-6): New Zealand 52/2
  • New Zealand 52/2 in 5.5 overs
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