Afghanistan lose to New Zealand in T20 World Cup opener

CHENNAI, India – Tim Seifert’s belligerent 65 and Glenn Phillips’ calculated 42 powered New Zealand to a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their Group D opener of the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday, exorcising the ghosts of their 2024 campaign.

Twelve months ago a defeat to the same opposition sent the Kiwis packing early; this time Mitchell Santner’s side ensured history would not repeat by overhauling a stiff 183-run target with 13 deliveries unused.

Invited to bat first, Afghanistan rode Gulbadin Naib’s enterprising 63 off 43 balls to post 182 for six. Naib, promoted to number three, steadied the innings after Lockie Ferguson’s double-wicket final powerplay over left Afghanistan 44 for two. Sediqullah Atal’s 29 provided able support before the lower order plundered 110 from the last ten overs, a surge that appeared to hand the spin-reliant Afghan attack a defendable total on a helpful surface.

New Zealand’s reply began in calamitous fashion. Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in the second over, castling both Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra to leave the chase teetering at 12 for two. Seifert and Phillips counter-attacked, adding 74 in 47 balls and swinging momentum back toward the Black Caps. Rashid Khan briefly regained control by removing Phillips, but the Afghan skipper spilt a return catch offered by Seifert when the game hung in the balance. The reprieve proved costly: Seifert clouted Mohammed Nabi for consecutive sixes and a four before holing out, his departure coming at 149 for five in the 16th.

Mark Chapman’s 28 kept the required rate in check, and when he fell, Daryl Mitchell (25 not out) and captain Santner (17 not out) saw New Zealand home with cool-headed running between the wickets.

Player-of-the-match Seifert underlined the importance of the result. “It’s always nice to start the tournament with a few runs, but the main thing is we got the win,” he said. “There were a couple of early wickets, so it’s nice to get the job done.”

Rashid, reflecting on his side’s inability to squeeze the middle overs, was candid. “I feel like we have not landed the ball in the right areas consistently,” he admitted. “It allowed them to score so many runs in the middle overs. If we could have bowled into the stumps and in the good length, it would have been very hard to score.”

The defeat leaves Afghanistan seeking an immediate response, while New Zealand draw first blood in a group that promises tight contests ahead.