Key points
- Rashid’s toss call pays dividends
- Afghanistan recover strongly after early wickets
- Late-order push boosts imposing total
ISLAMABAD: All-rounder Gulbadin Naib’s explosive half-century lifted Afghanistan to an imposing total in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener against New Zealand at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan saw his decision rewarded as the Asian side posted 182/6 from their allotted 20 overs.
The innings began steadily, with openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran adding 35 runs inside the first five overs before Lockie Ferguson triggered a New Zealand fightback by removing both batsmen.
Zadran played cautiously for his 12-ball 10, while Gurbaz struck 27 from 22 deliveries, including two fours and a six.
After the early setback, Naib and Sediqullah Atal (29) engineered a remarkable recovery, stitching together a 79-run partnership for the third wicket. The stand was broken in the 15th over with Atal’s dismissal.
Successful bowler
Naib then combined briefly with Darwish Rasooli in a 33-run fourth-wicket stand before being dismissed by Rachin Ravindra in the 18th over. He top-scored for Afghanistan with a commanding 63 off 35 balls, featuring four boundaries and three sixes.
Rasooli was dismissed on the first ball of the following over, falling to the experienced Matt Henry after contributing a brisk 20 from 13 deliveries, which included a six and a four.
Afghanistan added valuable late runs through Mohammad Nabi (10 not out) and Azmatullah Omarzai (14), who put on 18 runs in just 11 balls to push the total further.
For New Zealand, Ferguson was the most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 2 for 40 from his four overs. Jacob Duffy, Henry and Ravindra claimed one wicket each.
