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

The meeting of Afghanistan and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup brings back many memories as they both lock horn on Sunday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in the 4th match of the T20 World Cup 2026.

In 2024, the two sides met in Guyana when Afghanistan crushed New Zealand by 84 runs, which saw Afghanistan's incredible rise to the semi-finals and New Zealand's shocking early exit for such an accomplished team. The only time that the two sides have met since then was in 2016, and the anticipation has been at an all-time high, especially with Group D likely to call 'the group of death' with South Africa, which means every result will be very important.

New Zealand have arrived to erase the memories of their recent T20I series defeat to India, in which they lost the series in a 4-1 fashion, leaving several questions about their team with the many players being injured or ill.

However, it is likely that, having played in India prior to this match, New Zealand will be accustomed to the conditions, and as they have a strong foundation of batting and many legitimate threats from their fast bowlers, they will be able to put together a performance that can keep up with Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Afghanistan are much more confident now after winning six consecutive matches before losing to West Indies and will enter this match with both momentum and their confident spin-heavy attack, which should thrive in helpful conditions. It would be an unusual situation where Afghanistan may have a favourite status for this match as well.

head of Afghanistan’s ICC T20 World Cup clash against New Zealand, captain Rashid Khan downplayed the significance of personal milestones, saying his focus remains on delivering for the team in challenging situations. Just four wickets short of the 700-mark in T20 cricket, Rashid also jokingly spoke about hoping to touch the 7,000-wicket milestone.

Afghanistan, who stunned the cricketing world in the previous T20 World Cup by beating heavyweights such as New Zealand and Australia to reach the semifinals, will look to recreate that magic — and possibly go a step further — when they open their campaign against New Zealand in Chennai on Sunday. Rashid currently boasts 696 wickets in 515 T20 matches at an average of 18.49, including 18 four-wicket hauls and four five-fors, making him the leading wicket-taker in the format. At just 27, time remains firmly on his side to scale even greater heights.

Addressing the milestone during the pre-match press conference, Rashid said, "I only played 9-10 years of international cricket overall and then to be someone leading wicket taker is something more than a dream for me, T20 cricket came I do not know around 2004-05, we had players playing and played a lot, but for me to achieve that (highest wickets in T20s) was something very special, but I never counted my wickets, I only knew it in the media, ok I have reached 400, 500, 600, but I really do not think about it much, I only try my best, every single day, I have to keep performing well for the team, I have to pick up wickets, I want to bowl in a tough situation where team needs and that made me focused, but what I achieved, I still sometimes thinking like 700 wickets is not something small, getting there it needs lots of time and lots of hard work, but I am blessed and I am so, so happy that reaching that milestone and hopefully we will make it to 7,000."

Rashid also brushed aside discussions about Afghanistan shedding their underdog tag, insisting that labels mean little compared to on-field performances.

"Sometime you perform, you become number one, when you do not perform, you become number two or number three or number ten, it all depends on what you do in the middle, you get that names, what you do in the middle and for me, we are not much believing on these things, we can be like a team to upset people, things like that, I do not really trust these things, as long you are fully committed in the ground, giving 100 per cent, you will be the best team, does not matter you lose as well, but you will still - people will see you put the effort on and you had all the efforts there in the ground and I think that is more important, but the tags you get, it is just like a media stuff," he added.

He further noted that expectations naturally rise as teams begin beating established sides, something Afghanistan has experienced after recent victories over New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

"Twelve years ago, you would not have thought that Afghanistan would reach the semi-final and even for us, just participating in the World Cup was the biggest thing, but now it is not just about participating, you have enough skills to beat the team, but as long you are very strong mentally and physically, and you put the efforts in the ground," Rashid concluded.

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner(c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan(c), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Ishaq Rahimi, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.

With the Chepauk pitch expected to aid spinners in the absence of dew during the morning start, both teams could lean heavily on their slow bowlers.

Afghanistan’s batting, led by Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and the consistent Sediqullah Atal, promises a compelling contest.

Containing Afghanistan, however, will be no easy task. The side arrives on the back of a commanding series win over the West Indies and boasts depth across the XI, with multiple players capable of turning a game on its head.

Rashid Khan remains the biggest threat despite the mystery around him diminishing over the years. Balancing leadership responsibilities with his role as a strike bowler will be a key challenge, and support from Mujeeb ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad will be vital.

The Kiwis endured an unsettled build-up to the tournament, suffering a 1-4 series defeat against India, and will be wary of an Afghanistan side that has proven its credentials in the shortest format. While the inclusion of Tim Seifert and Finn Allen has added firepower at the top, New Zealand will need more consistent contributions from Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman and Devon Conway to fully capitalise on those starts.

The lack of momentum through the middle order proved a major concern during the India series, with New Zealand struggling to accelerate both while setting targets and during chases. Another such lapse could prove costly in a group that also features South Africa, making a strong start imperative for Mitchell Santner’s men.

The bowlers, too, will be keen to return to their economical best after conceding heavily against India’s aggressive batting line-up. Despite featuring in only one match, Lockie Ferguson underlined his value with raw pace and an expanded set of variations, and he will be expected to lead the attack alongside Santner and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.

Hello and welcome to the LIVE coverage of ICC T20 World Cup match between New Zealand and Afghanistan.

An under-par New Zealand will look to rediscover their explosive brand of cricket when they take on a tricky Afghanistan in the opening Group D match of the ICC T20 World Cup on Sunday.