New Zealand vs Afghanistan Match Highlights & Results

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.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Daryl Mitchell, 1 run.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!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, 1 run.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!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, 1 run.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!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!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, 2 runs.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, No run.Yorker, on off. Mitchell Santner pushes this to covers for a dot.

Ziaur Rahman to Daryl Mitchell, 1 run.Slower one, short and on off, Daryl Mitchell forces this to long on for a single.

Ziaur Rahman to Daryl Mitchell, 2 runs.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, No run.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, No run.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! c Rashid Khan b Azmatullah Omarzai.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, 1 run.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, 1 run.Good length on middle and off, Mark Chapman chips this to long on for a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Mark Chapman, No run.Slower one, short and around off, Mark Chapman swings early and the ball arrives late.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Daryl Mitchell, No ball!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, 2 runs.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!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!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, 1 run.Floated, full and on middle, Daryl Mitchell eases it to long on for another run.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mark Chapman, 1 run.Short again and on leg, Mark Chapman clips it to deep square leg for a run.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Daryl Mitchell, 1 run.Short and on middle, Daryl Mitchell flicks it towards mid-wicket for a quick single.

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, 1 run.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, 2 runs.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, 1 run.A leg-break, short and on middle, turns in, Mark Chapman works it through square leg for one.

Rashid Khan to Daryl Mitchell, 1 run.Tossed up, full and on middle, Daryl Mitchell clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

Rashid Khan to Daryl Mitchell, Four!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, 1 run.Flighted, full and on middle, Mark Chapman drills it to long off for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Daryl Mitchell, 2 runs.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! c Azmatullah Omarzai b Mohammad Nabi.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!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!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.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Seifert, Six!SIX! FIFTY FOR SEIFERT! A maiden T20 World Cup half-century, and he brings it up with a bang as well. Mohammad Nabi drops it short again, on middle and leg. Tim Seifert is quick to go on the back foot and whacks it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. This has been an excellent knock under pressure, but he knows the job is not done yet.

Mohammad Nabi to Tim Seifert, No run.Flatter, short and around leg, Tim Seifert misses his flick as the ball goes off his pads towards short fine.

Mohammad Nabi is now introduced into the attack. 75 more runs are needed off the last 8 overs.

Rashid Khan to Mark Chapman, No run.Dragged back and on middle, Mark Chapman pulls it to mid-wicket.

Rashid Khan to Mark Chapman, 2 runs.Flighted, full and on middle, Mark Chapman bunts it wide of long off, where the fielder dives to his left and pushes it back inside. Two taken.

Rashid Khan to Tim Seifert, 1 run.Short and outside off, Tim Seifert cuts it to deep point for one.

Rashid Khan to Tim Seifert, No run.Short and on leg, Tim Seifert turns it to the leg side.

How costly will this turn out to be? Tim Seifert has been dropped by the skipper himself on 48.

Rashid Khan to Tim Seifert, No run.DROPPED! Rashid Khan drops it short and on off, Tim Seifert looks to punch it away but the ball stops on him. He ends up lobbing it back towards the bowler, where Rashid gets a hand on it but it pops out. He turns around and stretches, gets fingertips on it but fails to hold on. A tough chance but should have been taken.

Rashid Khan to Tim Seifert, Four!FOUR! Powered away! Tossed up, full and on middle, Tim Seifert clears his front leg away and thumps it over the bowler's head, beating Mohammad Nabi to his left at long on for a boundary. That also brings up 2000 T20I runs for Seifert.

Ziaur Rahman to Tim Seifert, 1 run.Hard length and on off, slower again, Tim Seifert pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Ziaur Rahman to Tim Seifert, No run.Right in the blockhole, on middle, tailing in, Tim Seifert digs it out on the pitch.

Ziaur Rahman to Mark Chapman, 1 run.Bangs this into the pitch and around off, takes pace off. Mark Chapman comes down the track again and punches it wide of mid off. Sediqullah Atal dives to his right to save a few runs for his team. They cross. 100 UP FOR THE KIWIS!

Ziaur Rahman to Mark Chapman, 2 runs.Fuller delivery, outside off, Mark Chapman makes a bit of room and drills it wide of sweeper cover. Azmatullah Omarzai runs to his left and makes a good sliding stop. Two taken.

Ziaur Rahman to Mark Chapman, Four!FOUR! Great shot! Back of a length and on middle, not short enough to trouble the batter. Mark Chapman gets on top of it and heaves it to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Ziaur Rahman to Tim Seifert, 1 run.Short of a length and outside off, Tim Seifert waits for it, hops up and slaps it through covers for a single.

Rashid Khan to Mark Chapman, No run.Fired into the batter, on middle and leg. Mark Chapman keeps it out. Rashid bounces back after an ordinary first over.

Rashid Khan to Mark Chapman, 2 runs.Quicker and flatter around off, Mark Chapman cuts this to sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

Rashid Khan to Tim Seifert, 1 run.Tossed up, around off, Tim Seifert smashes this just past the bowler to his left for a single down to long off.

Rashid Khan to Mark Chapman, 1 run.Full and around off, Mark Chapman punches this to long off for a single.

A big breakthrough for Afghanistan as they put an end to the threatening 74-run stand. Mark Chapman is the next man in.

Rashid Khan to Glenn Phillips, OUT! b Rashid Khan.OUT! CHOPPED ON! Rashid Khan strikes and sends Glenn Phillips back to the dugout. The Afghan skipper is very animated in his celebration. Flighted wide outside off, Glenn Phillips backs away and looks to loft this over the covers region but ends up getting an inside edge that goes back onto the stumps. Glenn Phillips departs after playing a good hand of 42 off 25 balls. New Zealand are 88/3, still needing 95 runs in 64 balls.

Rashid Khan to Tim Seifert, 1 run.Tossed up, on middle and leg, Tim Seifert flicks this through mid-wicket for one.

Change of ends for Rashid Khan.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Tim Seifert, 1 run.Good length around the pads, Tim Seifert milks this through square leg for a run.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Phillips, 1 run.Full and on middle and leg, Glenn Phillips tucks this through mid-wicket for one.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Phillips, Four!FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Glenn and he races to 41 off 23 balls. Short and around the pads, Glenn Phillips helps this for a boundary behind the stumps towards the fine leg region.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Phillips, Four!FOUR! Fast hands from GP and the ball races to the fence for four. Short and around off, Glenn Phillips hops up on his toes and cuts this with fast hands. The ball races to the right of the fielder at the deep third region for four.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Tim Seifert, 1 run.Good length onto the pads, Tim Seifert works this through square leg for a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Phillips, 1 run.Hard length on off, Glenn Phillips punches this to sweeper cover for a strike rotation.

Azmatullah Omarzai comes back into the attack now. He conceded 11 runs in his first over.

Ziaur Rahman to Tim Seifert, 2 runs.Good length on the pads, Tim Seifert flicks this along the ground through the gap at mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Ziaur Rahman to Glenn Phillips, 1 run.Back of a length around off, Glenn Phillips hops up on his toes and punches this to sweeper cover for a single.

Ziaur Rahman to Tim Seifert, 1 run.Full and wide around off, Tim Seifert gets it edged to the third man region for a single.

Ziaur Rahman to Tim Seifert, No run.Back of a length around middle and leg, just over the stumps. Tim Seifert swings across the line and misses.

Ziaur Rahman to Tim Seifert, Wide!WIDE! Short and way too wide of off. Wided.

Ziaur Rahman to Tim Seifert, No run.Wide yorker around off, Tim Seifert rolls this to the right of short extra cover for no run.

Ziaur Rahman to Tim Seifert, No ball!NO BALL! Good length on theTim Seifert works this through the mid-wicket region for a couple of runs. The siren goes around the ground, signalling that Ziaur Rahman has overstepped. Free Hit to follow.

Ziaur Rahman to Glenn Phillips, 1 run.Good length on middle and leg, Glenn Phillips flicks this through square leg for one.

Not the best of first overs from Rashid Khan. Here is Ziaur Rahman replacing Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Rashid Khan to Glenn Phillips, 1 run.Short again but a touch quicker, on middle and off, Glenn Phillips flat-bats this to Atal at deep mid-wicket for just one this time. This was hit powerfully and flat but lands just short of the fielder. 14 from Rashid's first.

Rashid Khan to Glenn Phillips, Four!FOUR! A boundary to follow the biggie. Short and on middle and leg, Glenn Phillips picks the length early, rocks back and pulls this flat to the left of Sediqullah Atal at deep mid-wicket for four runs. That brings up the 50-run partnership for this pair.

Rashid Khan to Glenn Phillips, Six!SIX! Glenn Phillips is at the peak of his game. Tossed up, around off, Glenn Phillips backs away a touch and smashes this down the ground for a biggie over the sight screen.

Rashid Khan to Tim Seifert, 1 run.Tossed up, around the pads, Tim Seifert flicks this to long on for a strike rotation.

Rashid Khan to Glenn Phillips, 1 run.Quicker one, into the batter. Glenn Phillips drills this down to long on for a single.

Rashid Khan to Tim Seifert, 1 run.Floated around off, Tim Seifert rolls this through covers for a run.

DRINKS! Afghanistan were 44/2 at the end of the Powerplay, while New Zealand are 52/2. The Kiwis are slightly ahead in terms of runs, but they were rocked early by Mujeeb Ur Rahman. However, Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips are in the rebuilding phase, their real test will be how they tackle the middle overs, where Afghanistan will look to choke them with quality spin bowling. Talking about quality spin, and Rashid Khan brings himself into the attack now.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Glenn Phillips, No run.Fired into the batter, on his pads. Glenn Phillips tucks it to short fine leg.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Glenn Phillips, Four!FOUR! Fifty comes up for New Zealand. Fired around off, seam up from Mujeeb. Glenn Phillips stands leg side to it and smashes this over the fielder at the extra cover region for a boundary.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Glenn Phillips, No run.Floated around off, Glenn Phillips pushes this to covers for no run.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Glenn Phillips, No run.Quicker one, on off, Glenn Phillips keeps it out.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Glenn Phillips, Four!FOUR! That is poor from Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Glenn Phillips makes him pay. Darted onto the pads, Glenn Phillips rocks back and flicks this past the fielder at short fine leg to his left for four runs.