CHENNAI: New Zealand launched their Twenty20 World Cup campaign with a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan in a Group D match in Chennai on Sunday, successfully chasing a challenging target against a spin-heavy attack.
Having suffered a loss to Afghanistan in the 2024 edition that contributed to an early exit, Mitchell Santner’s side ensured there was no repeat at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.Gulbadin Naib’s brisk 63 underpinned Afghanistan’s competitive 182-6 after captain Rashid Khan elected to bat first.
The innings was given early momentum before Lockie Ferguson struck twice in the final powerplay over to leave Afghanistan 44-2.Batting at number three, Naib settled in before accelerating to a 29-ball half-century, sharing a rebuilding stand with Sediqullah Atal (29).
Afghanistan added 110 runs in the final 10 overs to post a total they hoped their spinners could defend on a helpful surface.New Zealand’s chase began shakily when off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman was introduced in the second over and removed openers Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra with successive deliveries, both bowled.
Tim Seifert (65) and Glenn Phillips (42) responded with a counter-attacking 74-run partnership off 47 balls to wrest back control. Rashid dismissed Phillips but dropped a return catch from Seifert at a crucial moment, a miss that proved costly.
Seifert punished Mohammed Nabi with two sixes and a four before falling, while Mark Chapman made 28. Daryl Mitchell (25) and Santner (17) then batted calmly to take New Zealand home with 13 balls to spare.“It’s always nice to start the tournament with a few runs, but the main thing is we got the win,” player of the match Seifert said.
There were a couple of early wickets, so it’s nice to get the job done.”Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan was left frustrated by his side’s execution with the ball. “I feel like we have not landed the ball in the right areas consistently,” he said.
