ISLAMABAD: Tim Seifert’s blistering half-century guided New Zealand to a five-wicket win over Afghanistan in the fourth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a challenging target of 183, the Black Caps reached the finish line with five wickets in hand and 13 balls remaining, thanks largely to a decisive third-wicket partnership between Seifert and Glenn Phillips.
New Zealand’s chase began on a shaky note as Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in the second over, dismissing Finn Allen for one and Rachin Ravindra for a duck on consecutive deliveries. At 14/2 in 1.4 overs, Phillips joined Seifert and the pair staged a strong recovery, adding 74 runs for the third wicket at an impressive tempo.
Gulbadin Naib
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan finally broke the stand in the 10th over by removing Phillips, who scored 42 from 25 balls, including seven fours and a six. Seifert then put on 36 runs for the fourth wicket with Mark Chapman before departing as the top scorer with 65 off 42 deliveries, highlighted by 10 boundaries, three of them sixes.
Chapman fell in the 16th over after making 28 from 17 balls, leaving 28 runs still required. However, Daryl Mitchell and skipper Mitchell Santner ensured a smooth finish, sharing an unbeaten 33-run stand off 13 balls. Mitchell remained not out on 25 from 14 balls, while Santner added an unbeaten 17 from eight deliveries.
Earlier, Afghanistan posted 182/6 after opting to bat first. Gulbadin Naib top-scored with a 35-ball 63, while Lockie Ferguson led New Zealand’s bowling with figures of 2 for 40.
