Chennai : Opener Tim Seifert smashed a rapid 65 off 42 deliveries to guide New Zealand to their highest-ever run chase in a T20 World Cup, defeating Afghanistan by five wickets on Sunday.
After Afghanistan posted 182-6, Seifert’s explosive innings, supported by Glenn Phillips’ 42-run contribution, powered New Zealand to victory with 13 balls remaining. This surpassed New Zealand’s previous best chase of 167 against England in the 2021 semi-final.
T20 World Cup:Mujeeb Ur Rahman put early pressure on New Zealand
Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman put early pressure on New Zealand, claiming two wickets in the second over Finn Allen for 1 and Rachin Ravindra for a duck. The hat-trick was narrowly avoided when Phillips joined Seifert, forming a 74-run partnership for the third wicket, stabilizing the innings against Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack.
Seifert reached his fifty with a six off veteran spinner Mohammad Nabi but was later caught in the deep off the same bowler. New Zealand lost Mark Chapman after a quick 28 off 17 balls, but contributions from Daryl Mitchell (25) and skipper Mitchell Santner (17) sealed the win.
T20 World Cup: Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat
Earlier, Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat. Gulbadin Naib, coming in at number three, struck a quick 63 off 35 balls, helping Afghanistan recover from 44-2. Sediqullah Atal added 29, forming a 79-run partnership with Naib for the third wicket.
Pace bowlers Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry provided early breakthroughs for New Zealand, dismissing Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz cheaply, keeping Afghanistan under pressure.
The victory showcased New Zealand’s ability to chase big totals and set a new benchmark for the team in T20 World Cup history.