New Zealand vs Afghanistan ICC MT20 WC, 2026, Full Score Card

Another full toss, around off, Daryl Mitchell knocks this down to long on for a single to seal the game. New Zealand win this by 5 wickets and 13 balls to spare.

SIX! SCORES ARE LEVEL! High full toss, on middle, Daryl Mitchell muscles this over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region to level the scores. This is sent upstairs for a check on the height of the ball and the replay shows that it was clearly below the waist height.

Hard length on off, Mitchell Santner pushes this to covers and takes a quick one. The ball hits Mitchell Santner as the throw comes in and Rashid Khan and Mitchell Santner share a light-hearted moment.

FOUR! That's an excellent stroke from Mitchell Santner. Short and wide of off, Mitchell Santner hangs onto his back foot and cuts this late through the backward point region for a boundary.

Good length on middle and off, Daryl Mitchell tucks this through mid-wicket for one.

The last two balls have taken the Kiwis well ahead in the chase. They just need 13 runs in 18 balls now. Here is Azmatullah Omarzai to bowl the 18th over.

SIX! This settles the dust to an extent, as New Zealand now needs just 13 more to win off the last 3 overs. On a length around middle and leg, Mitchell Santner presents a full face of his bat and lifts this over the fence towards the long off region for a biggie.

FOUR! Santner eases the pressure on the Kiwis. Good length on middle and leg, Mitchell Santner backs away and steps down the track. Chips this over the fielder at the extra cover region for a boundary. 19 needed off 19!

Overthrows! Full and on off, Mitchell Santner rolls this to mid off and sets off for a single. Mohammad Nabi fields this and has a go at the stumps towards the non-striker's end but misses. The ball goes through the fielder backing from mid-wicket and the keeper as well for an extra run.

Yorker, on off. Mitchell Santner pushes this to covers for a dot.

Slower one, short and on off, Daryl Mitchell forces this to long on for a single.

Full and on the pads, Daryl flicks this through square leg for two.

Ziaur Rahman (2-0-18-0) is back on.

Good length around off, Mitchell Santner stays back to push inside the line but gets beaten on the outside edge again. A top over at this stage.

Beauty from Azmatullah Omarzai. Azmat comes around the stumps, bowls it on a length and shapes it away from the batter. Mitchell Santner pokes at it, away from his body and gets beaten on the outside edge.

New Zealand lose half their side now. Skipper Mitchell Santner comes out to the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Mark Chapman departs after scoring 28 off 17 balls. Slower one, around middle and leg, on a length. Mark Chapman backs away and looks to chip this over the fielder at covers but ends up chipping this straight into the safe hands of Rashid Khan standing inside the ring. NZ still need 28 off 26 balls.

Slower one, back of a length on middle and off. Daryl Mitchell works this through mid-wicket for a run.

Good length on middle and off, Mark Chapman chips this to long on for a single.

Slower one, short and around off, Mark Chapman swings early and the ball arrives late.

A beamer over the waist of Daryl Mitchell and he tucks this through square leg for a single. The umpire doesn't give it a NO BALL straightaway and sends it upstairs for an official review. The replay shows that this is over the waist of Daryl Mitchell and it is called a NO BALL. Free Hit to follow.

Shortish and around off, Mark Chapman punches it through cover-point for a brace. Also, 150 up for New Zealand! They need 32 runs in 30 balls now.

FOUR! Clever batting! Flatter delivery, full and around leg, Mark Chapman moves across to get inside the line of it and scoops it to the fine leg fence for a boundary now.

SIX! A freebie and gladly accepted! Mujeeb Ur Rahman dishes out a loopy full toss, begging to be put away. Mark Chapman is not going to miss out on that and slogs it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Floated, full and on middle, Daryl Mitchell eases it to long on for another run.

Short again and on leg, Mark Chapman clips it to deep square leg for a run.

Short and on middle, Daryl Mitchell flicks it towards mid-wicket for a quick single.

DRINKS! Time for the final drinks break of the contest and New Zealand finds themselves in the driver's seat at this break. The Kiwis need 47 more runs off the last 6 overs to win this contest. A couple of quick wickets might just give an opening to the Afghans, as after this pair, the Kiwis will be left with Mitchell Santner, James Neesham, and the tail.

Flatter, full and on middle, Daryl Mitchell flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one. He wants the second but will have to settle for just one. 4-0-36-1, Rashid is done with the ball.

Drags his length back, on middle, Daryl Mitchell stays back and nudges it towards mid-wicket and calls his partner for the second run. The throw comes in at the bowler's end, where Chapman puts in a dive to make his ground.

A leg-break, short and on middle, turns in, Mark Chapman works it through square leg for one.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Daryl Mitchell clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! Innovative and effective! Flatter, full and around off, Daryl Mitchell changes his stance quickly, and executes the reverse sweep past short third for a boundary.

Flighted, full and on middle, Mark Chapman drills it to long off for a single.

Slows it up, full and on leg, Daryl Mitchell tucks it with soft hands through square leg and comes back for the second run. 18 runs and a wicket from the over.

Daryl Mitchell replaces Tim Seifert in the middle. Tim Seifert was on 48 when Rashid Khan dropped him and after adding 17 more to his total, Tim departs.

OUT! CAUGHT! Mohammad Nabi has the last laugh here, and he gets a massive wicket for Afghanistan. This is bowled quicker and shorter, on leg, keeps a bit low. Tim Seifert rocks back to pull it away but gets cramped up. He gets into an awkward position while playing the shot and gets no elevation. It flies straight to deep square leg, where Azmatullah Omarzai comes forward and takes a good catch under pressure. Seifert departs after a well-made 65 off 42, and the Kiwis are four down now. 59 needed off 43 balls.

FOUR! A boundary now! Mohammad Nabi fires this full and outside off. Tim Seifert extends his arms to reach out for it and smacks it through covers for four runs.

SIX! Up, up and away! Floated, full and on middle, Tim Seifert goes down on one knee, stretches out in front and nails the slog sweep over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen more.

SIX! FIFTY FOR SEIFERT! A maiden T20 World Cup half-century, and he brings it up with a bang as well. Mohammad Nabi drops it short again, on middle and leg. Tim Seifert is quick to go on the back foot and whacks it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. This has been an excellent knock under pressure, but he knows the job is not done yet.

Flatter, short and around leg, Tim Seifert misses his flick as the ball goes off his pads towards short fine.

Mohammad Nabi is now introduced into the attack. 75 more runs are needed off the last 8 overs.

Dragged back and on middle, Mark Chapman pulls it to mid-wicket.

Flighted, full and on middle, Mark Chapman bunts it wide of long off, where the fielder dives to his left and pushes it back inside. Two taken.

Short and outside off, Tim Seifert cuts it to deep point for one.

Short and on leg, Tim Seifert turns it to the leg side.

How costly will this turn out to be? Tim Seifert has been dropped by the skipper himself on 48.

DROPPED! Rashid Khan drops it short and on off, Tim Seifert looks to punch it away but the ball stops on him. He ends up lobbing it back towards the bowler, where Rashid gets a hand on it but it pops out. He turns around and stretches, gets fingertips on it but fails to hold on. A tough chance but should have been taken.

FOUR! Powered away! Tossed up, full and on middle, Tim Seifert clears his front leg away and thumps it over the bowler's head, beating Mohammad Nabi to his left at long on for a boundary. That also brings up 2000 T20I runs for Seifert.

Hard length and on off, slower again, Tim Seifert pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Right in the blockhole, on middle, tailing in, Tim Seifert digs it out on the pitch.

Bangs this into the pitch and around off, takes pace off. Mark Chapman comes down the track again and punches it wide of mid off. Sediqullah Atal dives to his right to save a few runs for his team. They cross. 100 UP FOR THE KIWIS!

Fuller delivery, outside off, Mark Chapman makes a bit of room and drills it wide of sweeper cover. Azmatullah Omarzai runs to his left and makes a good sliding stop. Two taken.

FOUR! Great shot! Back of a length and on middle, not short enough to trouble the batter. Mark Chapman gets on top of it and heaves it to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Short of a length and outside off, Tim Seifert waits for it, hops up and slaps it through covers for a single.

Fired into the batter, on middle and leg. Mark Chapman keeps it out. Rashid bounces back after an ordinary first over.

Quicker and flatter around off, Mark Chapman cuts this to sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

Tossed up, around off, Tim Seifert smashes this just past the bowler to his left for a single down to long off.

Full and around off, Mark Chapman punches this to long off for a single.

A big breakthrough for Afghanistan as they put an end to the threatening 74-run stand. Mark Chapman is the next man in.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Rashid Khan strikes and sends Glenn Phillips back to the dugout. The Afghan skipper is very animated in his celebration. Flighted wide outside off, Glenn Phillips backs away and looks to loft this over the covers region but ends up getting an inside edge that goes back onto the stumps. Glenn Phillips departs after playing a good hand of 42 off 25 balls. New Zealand are 88/3, still needing 95 runs in 64 balls.

Tossed up, on middle and leg, Tim Seifert flicks this through mid-wicket for one.

Change of ends for Rashid Khan.

Good length around the pads, Tim Seifert milks this through square leg for a run.

Full and on middle and leg, Glenn Phillips tucks this through mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Glenn and he races to 41 off 23 balls. Short and around the pads, Glenn Phillips helps this for a boundary behind the stumps towards the fine leg region.

FOUR! Fast hands from GP and the ball races to the fence for four. Short and around off, Glenn Phillips hops up on his toes and cuts this with fast hands. The ball races to the right of the fielder at the deep third region for four.

Good length onto the pads, Tim Seifert works this through square leg for a single.

Hard length on off, Glenn Phillips punches this to sweeper cover for a strike rotation.

Azmatullah Omarzai comes back into the attack now. He conceded 11 runs in his first over.

Good length on the pads, Tim Seifert flicks this along the ground through the gap at mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Back of a length around off, Glenn Phillips hops up on his toes and punches this to sweeper cover for a single.

Full and wide around off, Tim Seifert gets it edged to the third man region for a single.

Back of a length around middle and leg, just over the stumps. Tim Seifert swings across the line and misses.

WIDE! Short and way too wide of off. Wided.

Wide yorker around off, Tim Seifert rolls this to the right of short extra cover for no run.

NO BALL! Good length on theTim Seifert works this through the mid-wicket region for a couple of runs. The siren goes around the ground, signalling that Ziaur Rahman has overstepped. Free Hit to follow.

Good length on middle and leg, Glenn Phillips flicks this through square leg for one.

Not the best of first overs from Rashid Khan. Here is Ziaur Rahman replacing Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Short again but a touch quicker, on middle and off, Glenn Phillips flat-bats this to Atal at deep mid-wicket for just one this time. This was hit powerfully and flat but lands just short of the fielder. 14 from Rashid's first.

FOUR! A boundary to follow the biggie. Short and on middle and leg, Glenn Phillips picks the length early, rocks back and pulls this flat to the left of Sediqullah Atal at deep mid-wicket for four runs. That brings up the 50-run partnership for this pair.

SIX! Glenn Phillips is at the peak of his game. Tossed up, around off, Glenn Phillips backs away a touch and smashes this down the ground for a biggie over the sight screen.

Tossed up, around the pads, Tim Seifert flicks this to long on for a strike rotation.

Quicker one, into the batter. Glenn Phillips drills this down to long on for a single.

Floated around off, Tim Seifert rolls this through covers for a run.

DRINKS! Afghanistan were 44/2 at the end of the Powerplay, while New Zealand are 52/2. The Kiwis are slightly ahead in terms of runs, but they were rocked early by Mujeeb Ur Rahman. However, Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips are in the rebuilding phase, their real test will be how they tackle the middle overs, where Afghanistan will look to choke them with quality spin bowling. Talking about quality spin, and Rashid Khan brings himself into the attack now.

Fired into the batter, on his pads. Glenn Phillips tucks it to short fine leg.

FOUR! Fifty comes up for New Zealand. Fired around off, seam up from Mujeeb. Glenn Phillips stands leg side to it and smashes this over the fielder at the extra cover region for a boundary.

Floated around off, Glenn Phillips pushes this to covers for no run.

Quicker one, on off, Glenn Phillips keeps it out.

FOUR! That is poor from Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Glenn Phillips makes him pay. Darted onto the pads, Glenn Phillips rocks back and flicks this past the fielder at short fine leg to his left for four runs.

Floated around off, Glenn Phillips pokes at it but gets beaten.

A low full toss, on off, Tim Seifert drills it straight towards mid off. He is not happy with himself as this was there to be put away.

SAFE! On a length and on middle and leg, Tim Seifert tucks it with soft hands through mid-wicket and calls for the second run. Ibrahim Zadran is quick to get to the ball and scores a direct hit at the batter's end. However, Seifert does not look that botherd and the replay confirms that he has dragged his bat inside the crease in time.

IS THAT OUT? A direct hit from Ibrahim Zadran towards the striker's end. Replay shows that Tim Seifert is back inside the crease safely.

SIX! Even better and bigger! This is a full delivery, on middle and off, slower in pace. Tim Seifert clears his front leg out of the way and launches it over the long on fence for a biggie.

FOUR! Top shot! Fazalhaq Farooqi sees the batter advance and bangs this into the pitch, on middle. Tim Seifert adjusts well to the length, gets on top of it and pulls it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Back of a length and on middle, angling in, slower too, Tim Seifert keeps it out on the pitch.

Good length and on off, Glenn Phillips taps it in front of mid off and scampers across for a single.

Pushed through quicker, shorter and on middle and leg, skids through as well. Tim Seifert stays back to work it away but once again gets hit on the pads.

Fires this one full and on leg, Tim Seifert looks to clip it away but misses as the ball deflects off his pads to square leg.

Shortish and on middle and leg, Glenn Phillips nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Beats the fielder this time! Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowls the googly, but just drifting down the leg side. Glenn Phillips goes down and paddles it away past short fine for an easy boundary.

Flatter, short and around leg, Glenn Phillips tries to heave it away but misses as the ball lobs up off his pads and rolls to short fine.

Shorter in length, on off, Tim Seifert pats it down to long on for a single.

Goes back to his fuller length, on middle, shaping in, Glenn Phillips fends it off the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Put away! Azmatullah Omarzai bangs this into the pitch but angling into the leg side. Glenn Phillips just helps it on its way behind square on the leg side for another boundary.

WIDE! Fullish but down the leg again, Glenn Phillips tries to flick but misses. Rahmanullah Gurbaz grabs it behind the stumps and appeals but it is turned down. Wided again.

Fuller and on middle, angling in, Tim Seifert drills it wide of long on for a single. He wants the second run but is sent back.

Short of a length and on off, Tim Seifert dabs it down to point.

WIDE! Fuller but down the leg side, Tim Seifert fails to glance it away. Called a wide.

FOUR! Gets it away! Back of a length and on middle, angling in. Tim Seifert gets a bit cramped up but manages to heave it away to the deep square leg fence. The fielder from deep fine runs to his left and dives but fails to stop the boundary.

Fuller and on off, Tim Seifert drills it to mid off.

Azmatullah Omarzai replaces Fazalhaq Farooqi in the attack.

Bowls this flatter, short and just outside off, Glenn Phillips looks to cut it away but misses. Just 2 runs and 2 big wickets from the over, superb stuff from Mujeeb.

Almost a hat-trick! Tossed up, full and on middle, turns in. Glenn Phillips looks to push it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads. It lobs up but there is no short leg to grab it.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is on a hat-trick​​​​​. A golden duck for Rachin and Glenn Phillips replaces him.

OUT! TIMBER! Oh..wow. That is an absolute beauty, and no one can catch Mujeeb Ur Rahman as he is off running in celebration. This is the seam-up ball, full and on middle, just straightens a bit instead of angling in. Rachin Ravindra prods forward to defend but plays down the wrong line and gets hurried too. He leaves enough gap between bat and pad for the ball to go through and shatter the stumps. A golden duck for Rachin, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman is on a hat-trick now.

Finn Allen is gone and Rachin Ravindra replaces him out in the middle.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Mujeeb Ur Rahman draws first blood and gets rid of the dangerous Finn Allen. This is pushed through quicker, shortish and on middle, skids through and angles in a bit. Allen rocks back for the pull but this is not that short and he gets rushed, too. The ball goes through and rattles the stumps behind. Allen falls cheaply, and New Zealand are 14/1, chasing 183 runs.

Floated, full and on middle and leg, angling in, Tim Seifert eases it to long on for a run.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman begins with a flatter delivery, short and on middle, Finn Allen punches it to long on for a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been handed the ball by Rashid Khan to bowl from the other end.

FOUR! No chance for Rashid Khan this time! Pitched up and around off, Tim Seifert backs away, stays leg side of the ball and thumps it to the left and well over mid off for four more runs. 12 runs from the first over.

Good length and on middle, nips back in, Tim Seifert gets cramped up and keeps it out on the pitch.

FOUR MORE! Good shot! Short of a length and just around off. Tim Seifert uses the width on offer and cuts it away. He times it so well that the fielder at deep backward point has no chance of stopping that from going to the fence.

FOUR! Just wide! Fazalhaq Farooqi serves this fuller and on off, Tim Seifert lofts it wide of mid off and just gets enough elevation on this one. Rashid Khan flings himself to his right and tries to grab it with his outstretched right hand but the ball evades him and races away to the fence for a boundary. The Kiwis are underway in the chase.

Another yorker, on middle and off, Tim Seifert jams it out to the leg side.

Right on the money! Fazalhaq Farooqi starts with a yorker, on off, swinging in, Tim Seifert gets his bat down to dig it out.

OUT! OMARZAI IS RUN OUT! Lockie Ferguson hits the length hard and outside off, Mohammad Nabi punches it towards sweeper cover and turns around for the second run, which they had to as this is the last ball of the innings. James Neesham is quick to collect the ball and throws it at the bowler's end, where Ferguson grabs it and breaks the stumps, with Azmatullah Omarzai trying to drag his bat inside the crease. The smart replays confirm that he is short of his crease. Afghanistan finish on 182/6!

Excellent bowling! A bouncer now, on off, takes pace off again. Mohammad Nabi swings for the hills, but goes through it decades early and misses it.

Lockie Ferguson comes around the wicket, bowls this full and on leg, Azmatullah Omarzai has a hoick across the line but goes through it early due to the lack of pace. It deflects off his pads towards point. A leg bye taken.

Hard length and around off, Mohammad Nabi slaps it wide of mid off for a single.

A slower wide yorker, outside off, Mohammad Nabi leaves it thinking it will be a wide, but it is inside the guideline.

SIX! Mohammad Nabi gets into the act now! Lockie Ferguson misses the yorker, serves this full, on middle and leg. Nabi gets his front leg out of the way and smokes it over the wide long on fence for another biggie.

Will it be the spin of Rachin Ravindra to finish or the pace of Lockie Ferguson? Mitchell Santner has asked his front-line pacer, Lockie Ferguson, to end this inning with the ball. New Zealand's highest successful run chase in T20 World Cup is 167.

SIX! That is a shot and a half! Matt Henry goes short and just outside off. Azmatullah Omarzai backs away, uses the width on offer and muscles it over the deep extra cover fence for a biggie.

Uppish but safe! Fuller delivery, outside off, takes pace off. Mohammad Nabi backs away and just throws his hands at it. He ends up spooning it in the air but it lands safely in the vacant point region. They cross.

Back of a length and on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai heaves it off the inner half of the bat to deep square leg for a run.

Bangs in a slower bouncer, on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai winds up for the pull but leaves it in the end. He has a look at the square leg umpire, who only signals one for the over.

Fuller and on middle, angling in, Mohammad Nabi tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Mohammad Nabi walks out to replace Darwish Rasooli in the 19th over.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Matt Henry strikes now, and this is exactly what New Zealand wanted at this time. This is short of a length and around middle, Darwish Rasooli looks to take it on and goes for the pull. However, the ball just gets big on him and he fails to get the elevation. It flies flat and straight to deep mid-wicket, where Glenn Phillips takes a good catch. Rasooli walks back for a quick 20 off 13, and the Afghans lose half their side now.

SIX! Clean strike! Rachin Ravindra bowls this a bit quicker and shorter, on off. Azmatullah Omarzai stands tall and dispatches it with a flat-bat over the long off fence for another biggie. So, 14 runs and a wicket from Rachin's over.

Slower through the air, full and outside off, turns further away. Azmatullah Omarzai leaves it alone. He looks at the umpire but gets nothing.

Flighted, full and on middle, Darwish Rasooli swipes it to deep square leg for a run.

Short and around off, Azmatullah Omarzai punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

OUT! TAKEN! Rachin Ravindra has the last laugh, and the gamble has paid off for Mitchell Santner. Rachin drags his length back slightly, floats it up outside off. Gulbadin Naib goes down for the slog sweep but has to reach out for it a bit. He does not get hold of it as the ball takes the top edge and goes high in the air. Tim Seifert, the keeper, calls for it, moves forward and pouches it safely into his gloves. Naib departs for a fantastic 63 off 35, and Afghanistan are 156/4. Over to Azmatullah Omarzai to provide the finishing touches.

SIX! BOOM! Rachin Ravindra gets greeted with a huge hit. He tosses it up, full and around middle. Gulbadin Naib clears his front leg away and tonks it right over the bowler's head for half a dozen. Naib moves to 63, his highest T20I career score.

Interesting ploy from Mitchell Santner. Rachin Ravindra has been called into action in the 18th over.

FOUR! The extra ball costs Lockie Ferguson here! He goes fuller and around off, pace on this time. Darwish Rasooli backs away and extends his arms to reach out for it. He crouches a bit low and carves it over extra covers for a boundary. Holds the pose for the cameras as well. That also brings up the 150 for Afghanistan!

WIDE! Tries the slower one, but spills this full and down the leg side, Darwish Rasooli fails to flick it away. Wided.

Pitched up and on middle, Gulbadin Naib lofts it to long on for one.

Fuller and around off, Darwish Rasooli pushes it through covers for a single.

Nails the yorker, on middle, Darwish Rasooli jams it wide of the bowler. Lockie Ferguson on his follow-through dives to his left and makes a half-stop. He sees Rasooli out of his crease, and has a shy but misses. It would have been interesting if that hit the stumps.

SIX! Wow..that is massive! Lockie Ferguson bangs this into the pitch, on middle and leg. It looks like Darwish Rasooli wants to duck but goes through with the pull shot while ducking. He connects it right from the middle and the ball sails over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Buzzers! Hard length and on middle, angling in. Darwish Rasooli backs away and lifts it off the toe-end towards long on for a single. The throw from the deep hits the stumps at the bowler's end and deflects away, allowing the batters to get an extra run.

Pushed through quicker, shortish and on middle, Darwish Rasooli forces it down to long off for one more. Mitchell Santner goes wicketless but concedes just 23 runs in his 4 overs. Very tidy from the Kiwi skipper.

Flighted, full and on off, Gulbadin Naib drills it to long off for one.

Shorter in length once more, on off, Darwish Rasooli backs away and cuts it through cover-point for another run.

Dragged back and around off, Gulbadin Naib slaps it to sweeper cover for a run.

Short again and on off, Darwish Rasooli punches it towards long off for a single.

Floated, short and well outside off, Darwish Rasooli backs away and leaves it but this goes inside the tramline.

FOUR! Naib gets lucky but he wouldn't mind it one bit. Short and on off, Gulbadin Naib looks to pull this flat through square leg but gets it edged over the keeper for a boundary behind the stumps. 15 runs plus a wicket from the over.

Short and on middle and leg, Darwish Rasooli hooks this to deep backward square leg for one.

On a length around middle and leg, Darwish Rasooli flicks this through the mid-wicket region and scampers back for two.

A crucial breakthrough for New Zealand. Darwish Rasooli is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! ​Sediqullah Atal departs after playing a good hand of 29 off 24 balls. Slower one, short and around off, Sediqullah Atal winds up for the pull but has to wait due to the lack of pace. He does not go through his shot fully and gets a top edge behind towards the keeper. Tim Seifert takes a couple of steps backwards and holds onto it. The 79-run stand off 51 balls has been broken now.

FIFTY FOR NAIB! Good length on middle and off, Gulbadin Naib pushes this through covers for a single to bring up his half-century, off 29 balls. A promotion that has worked for the Afghans, and this has been a great knock, too, when his team needed it.

WIDE! On a length wide outside off. Wided.

SIX! This has been smashed over the ropes for a biggie by Naib. Back of a length around off, Gulbadin Naib stands and smashes this over the long on fence for a huge six. Moves to 49.

DRINKS! Afghanistan have recovered well after losing their openers. This stand between Sediqullah Atal and Gulbadin Naib, which is worth 71 runs now, has set up a good platform for the Afghans to launch in the remaining six overs. New Zealand have done well, but that 18-run over from James Neesham has shifted the momentum a bit, and the Kiwis will be looking for a breakthrough here to snatch back control of this game. Also, Jacob Duffy is to bowl after the break.

Fired into the batter, Gulbadin Naib goes deep inside the crease and works this through mid on for one.

Fired on off, Sediqullah Atal punches this down the ground to long off for a run.

Flighted wide outside off, Gulbadin Naib chips this to sweeper cover for one.

Pushed through on the pads, Sediqullah Atal smashes this to long on for a single.

Much slower around middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal looks for the sweep but gets it away off the inside edge to short fine leg.

Pushed through wide of off, Gulbadin Naib drives this down to long off for a run.

A touch fuller, on middle and off, Gulbadin Naib tucks this through mid-wicket for a run. 18 runs off this Neesham over.

SIX! Even better this time from Naib. On a length around middle and leg, Gulbadin Naib plants his front foot across and slogs this out of the park towards the deep mid-wicket region for a huge six.

FOUR! Boundaries are coming thick and fast again. Slower one, full and wide down the leg, Gulbadin Naib steps across and hits this behind the fielder at short fine leg for a boundary. 100 up for the Afghans!

Short and on off, Sediqullah Atal cuts this to deep point for a single.

Hard length on middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal tucks this through mid-wicket and takes two.

FOUR! Sensational stroke from Atal. Good length on middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal backs away from the stumps, steps down as well and smashes this over the bowler for a boundary in front of the sight screen. That also brings up the 50-RUN STAND between these two batters.

James Neesham comes back into the attack. He has conceded 15 runs in his first couple of overs.

Back of a length around off, Gulbadin Naib miscues the pull off the cue end and it rolls to the left of long on. The batters hustle back for two.

On a length around the pads, Atal flicks this to the right of Jacob Duffy at short fine and takes a single.

Hard length on the pads, Gulbadin Naib dabs this to the right of short fine leg and rotates the strike again.

Back of a length around the pads, Sediqullah Atal works this through the short fine leg region for one.

On a length around middle and off, Sediqullah Atal nudges this through mid-wicket and runs a couple.

Good length around middle and off, Gulbadin Naib nudges this through square leg for one.

Pace is back on as Lockie Ferguson (1-0-9-2) replaces Mitchell Santner.

Glenn Phillips drags his length back and fires this around the pads of Naib. The batter tucks this through square leg for a run.

SIX! That has been smashed out of the park. Fuller around middle and leg, Gulbadin Naib gets down on a knee and slogs this over the fence towards the cow corner region for a biggie.

Fired on the pads, Sediqullah Atal flicks this through mid-wicket for a strike rotation.

WIDE! Darted down the leg. Sediqullah Atal looks for the sweep and misses. Atal loses his balance for a second but does well to drag his back foot back inside the crease in time.

A lot quicker and flatter around off, Gulbadin Naib uses his feet, jumps down the track and milks this through square leg for a single.

Floated around off, Sediqullah Atal punches this down to long off and rotates the strike.

Fired into the batter, around his pads. Gulbadin Naib flicks this through mid-wicket for a run.

Gives this one some more flight, full and on middle, Gulbadin Naib clips it to deep square leg for one more.

Dragged back, on middle, turns in, Sediqullah Atal stays back and works it through square leg for one.

FOUR! Nice use of the feet! Flighted, full and on middle. Sediqullah Atal skips down the track to get to the pitch of it and thumps it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

A loopy full toss, on off. Gulbadin Naib waits for it and swats it on the bounce to long on for a single.

Floated, full and on off, angling in, Gulbadin Naib looks to push it away but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket.

Tossed up, full and around off, Gulbadin Naib strides out and drives it through covers for a brace.

Sloppy! Good length and on middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal flicks it away towards deep square leg and calls for the second. Mark Chapman charges onto the ball but fails to pick it up, and the batters complete the double easily.

WIDE! Errs in line and serves this full but down the leg side, Sediqullah Atal fails to glance it away. Called a wide.

Short of a length and on off, Sediqullah Atal stays back and dabs it down towards backward point. He wants a run but there isn't any available on this occasion.

Back of a length and around leg, Sediqullah Atal tucks it off his hips through backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Hard length and on off, angling in. Gulbadin Naib steps across but has no room to work with and stabs it down past the bowler towards long on. They cross.

FOUR! Up and over! James Neesham goes a bit too full this time and on off. Gulbadin Naib extends his arms to get under it and lofts it over the mid off fielder for a boundary.

On a length and around off, Sediqullah Atal guides it through cover-point for a single.

Flighted, full and on off, Sediqullah Atal uses his feet and drives it to long off for one more.

Arm ball, full and on middle, angling in, Gulbadin Naib works it off the inner half of the bat through square leg for one. That also brings up 1000 T20I runs for Naib.

Slows it up, full and around off, Gulbadin Naib presses forward and taps it to short cover.

Drops it short and on middle, Sediqullah Atal pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 50 UP FOR AFGHANISTAN!

Tossed up, full and on middle, Sediqullah Atal tucks it to short mid-wicket.

WIDE! Flatter, short but way down the leg side, Sediqullah Atal lets it go. Wided.

Oh..a bit of turn! Floated, full and on middle, turns in a bit. Sediqullah Atal looks to work it across the line but gets a leading edge along the ground towards backward point.

Time for some spin as the skipper, Mitchell Santner, introduces himself into the attack.

Beaten! James Neesham hits the length hard and on the sixth stump line, gets it to shape away a shy bit. Gulbadin Naib pushes at it with hard hands but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Back of a length and around off, Gulbadin Naib dabs it down to point.

Good length and around leg, Sediqullah Atal nudges it through square leg for one.

Sticks to the fuller length, on middle, Gulbadin Naib flicks it away to deep mid-wicket for another run.

Pitched up and around off, Sediqullah Atal steers it away towards deep point for a run.

Fuller delivery, on off, Gulbadin Naib guides it to deep third for a single.

Sediqullah Atal is the next batter out in the middle. Powerplay ends with Afghanistan scoring 44 for 2. New Zealand would feel they have had the better of their opponents in that period. Both openers are back in the dugout and NZ now stands a chance to control the middle phase of the contest and gain the upper hand over Afghanistan.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Excellent change of pace from Lockie Ferguson, and he ends the over with a wicket as well. Ferguson bowls this on a good length and on off, rolls his fingers to take the pace off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets drawn forward early to block it, but the ball holds up in the surface and nips in as well. It takes the inside edge, deflects onto the pads and then rattles the stumps. Gurbaz departs for 27 off 22, and both the Afghan openers are gone now at the end of the Powerplay.

FOUR! Fine shot! Lockie Ferguson looks for the yorker, but just misses it, on middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away to access the off side and smacks it through covers for a boundary.

Short of a length and on middle, angling into the body of the batter. Gulbadin Naib gets rushed on his pull shot and mistimes it through square leg for a run.

Full again and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz knocks it towards wide mid on for a single.

Gets off the mark! Much fuller delivery, outside off, Gulbadin Naib opens the face of his bat and squeezes it through point for three runs.

Gulbadin Naib has been promoted as he walks out to join Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the middle.

OUT! STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! Lockie Ferguson comes into the attack and strikes right away. He bangs this hard into the pitch, but outside off. Ibrahim Zadran sees this as a scoring opportunity and throws his hands at it. However, he just fails to handle the extra bounce and ends up hitting it straight to backward point, where Glenn Phillips gobbles it up easily. Zadran walks back for 10 off 12, and Afghanistan are 35/1.

Short and into the batter, Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes for a pull but gets late and ends up splicing it to the left of the bowler.

Good length on middle and off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashes this towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.

On a length around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz clips this just behind the bowler for a dot.

NOT OUT! Hard length on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran looks to play across the line but misses and gets hit on the thigh pad of the back foot. The ball rolls to point and they sneak a leg bye. Finn Allen tries to catch Zadran off guard with a throw towards the non-striker's end but misses. This is the second instance when Finn Allen has opted to throw underarm. Maybe he is nursing that shoulder injury he suffered in the T20I against India. Mitchell Santner opted to send this upstairs for DRS. Ball Tracker shows that the ball would have missed the stumps. New Zealand lose a review.

Is that out? There is an appeal for LBW, but not given by the umpire. New Zealand have taken the review here. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows the ball to be going over the stumps. The Kiwis lose a review early.

Good length around middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran clips this to deep square leg for a brace here.

FOUR! Even Zadran joins the party. Full and angling into the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran stays leg side to the pitch of the ball and flicks this through the mid-wicket region for a boundary.

Will we see a bowling change? No, Matt Henry to bowl his third over on the trot.

FOUR! All it took was one biggie from Gurbaz to make him cut loose. Short and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz pulls this through the mid-wicket region for a boundary.

SIX! First biggie of the contest and it comes off the bat of Gurbaz. On a length around middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz shuffles across the stumps and plays the scoop perfectly. The ball sails over the fence towards the fine leg region for a huge six.

Short and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz thumps this to covers for no run.

WIDE! Good length, down the leg. Wided.

Back of a length, wide of off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to play the upper cut but misses. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is seemingly getting frustrated.

Cutter, into the deck, around off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz scuffs the punch off his under edge.

Back of a length around the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets it tickled to short fine for a dot.

This has been a quiet start from Afghanistan, according to their standards. We are 3 overs in, but have not seen a single boundary, and it could have been worse had New Zealand managed to hold on to the catch in the previous over.

Good length on off, Ibrahim Zadran blocks this off his back foot.

DROPPED!​ Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets a life as Finn Allen drops a difficult chance. Good length around off, shaping away from the batter. Rahmanullah Gurbaz shimmies down the track and has a blind swing at it. Gets it top-edged behind the keeper. Finn Allen from short fine leg, the keeper and Daryl Mitchell from first slip chase this but Finn Allen ends up calling for it and then dropping it. Three runs taken.

Short and shaping it away from the batter towards his off-stump. Rahmanullah Gurbaz shuffles across and goes for the pull but misses yet again.

Short and around leg, Ibrahim Zadran fends this through Finn Allen at short fine leg. A misfield from Allen and the batters cross for one.

Around that nagging length, on top of off. Ibrahim Zadran punches this off his front foot to mid on.

Back of a length around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz cuts this to deep third for a single.

Good length on the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz steps inside the line and nudges this through square leg for a run to end the over.

Short again, much wide of the off-stump. Rahmanullah Gurbaz shuffles across and looks to pull this but misses out.

Short and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz dabs this behind square on off side.

Short and on off, Ibrahim Zadran hops up on his toes and dabs this to the left of Finn Allen at short third. Allen does well to field this with a dive to that side and keep it down to one.

On a length around the pads, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this through the square leg region and by the time the deep square leg fielder cuts it off, the batters take two.

Hard length, around middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran keeps it out.

Jacob Duffy will share the attack.

Short and around leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz leaves it expecting a wide but the umpire calls it a fair one.

On a length around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz lofts this behind mid off for a brace.

Gurbaz on the charge. Good length, wide of off, shaping away from the batter. Rahmanullah Gurbaz runs down and away and sliced this behind cover-point for a couple of runs.

LEG BYE! Good length, going down the leg, Ibrahim Zadran misses out on the flick and the ball has clipped off his pads towards square leg for a leg bye.

Pace off, back of a length, going down the leg. Ibrahim Zadran looks to dab this through square leg but misses and gets hit away off his pads. The ball pops up and rolls behind but past the stumps.

A single to get us underway. Good length, in line with the stumps. Rahmanullah Gurbaz presses in front and tucks this towards square leg for a run to open his account.

Done with the pre-match formalities! The sun is shining brightly here in Chepauk. We can see the Kiwi players spread out from the huddle and take up the fielding positions. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are the two openers for Afghanistan. Matt Henry has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. A slip in place. Let's play...

It is now time for the national anthems as Rashid Khan and Mitchell Santner lead their respective teams out to the middle, with Afghanistan's anthem coming first before New Zealand's follows.

The captain of New Zealand - Mitchell Santner says that they were thinking about bowling first but were not sure. Adds that there is a bit of grass on the wicket, which is unlike Chennai. Mentions that they have had a hectic schedule travelling all around the country for the series against India. Says that they were struggling a bit with some niggles here and there but everyone is up and running which is good. Informs that Ish Sodhi, Devon Conway, Michael Bracewell, and Kyle Jamieson miss out.

The skipper of Afghanistan - Rashid Khan plans to bat first, citing the fresh wicket as a factor, aiming to put runs on the board before spinners come into play in the second innings. He adds that the players have gained global exposure in recent years, so they won't feel the conditions are alien. Rashid also believes the pitch will suit pacers if they hit the right lengths.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (WK), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (C), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (C), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

TOSS - The coin lands in favour of Rashid Khan and Afghanistan elect to BAT first.

Afghanistan’s clear mantra - Fresh off comfortable warm-up victories against the West Indies and Scotland, Afghanistan looks ready to replicate their magical run to the 2024 semi-finals. Their formula remains simple. A solid start from top-order batters like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, followed by a spin-choke in the middle overs. Even without the injured Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi will lead the charge with the new ball as they aim to start the tournament with a bang. Stay tuned for toss and team news.

The Black Caps' challenge - New Zealand arrives after a tough series against defending champions India, but they have spent nearly a month adapting to these subcontinental conditions. Although they suffered a blow with pacer Adam Milne ruled out due to injury, the return of experienced senior players boosts their confidence. In-form batters like Devon Conway, Finn Allen, and Rachin Ravindra will be key as they look to counter the Afghan bowlers and put runs on the board.

Spin battle in the Group of Death - This match is crucial as Group D is shaping up to be the Group of Death, featuring heavyweights like South Africa alongside Canada and the UAE. Since Chepauk usually helps slow bowlers, and this is a day game, spin will likely decide the winner. Afghanistan’s strategy relies heavily on their spin wizards, but the Black Caps are well-prepared with their own potent spin attack led by skipper Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi.

The rematch at Chepauk - Welcome to the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai for a massive clash on Day 2 of the T20 World Cup 2026. Afghanistan takes on New Zealand in a highly anticipated Group D encounter. Fans will remember how Afghanistan stunned the Kiwis in the 2024 World Cup in Guyana, and now New Zealand has a chance to settle the score. With the sun beating down, the stage is set for a thrilling contest.

... MATCHDAY ...

Chennai welcomes the World Cup - Group D of the 2026 T20 World Cup gets underway at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, as Afghanistan lock horns with New Zealand. With South Africa, Canada and the UAE also in the mix, this really does feel like the group of death. Afghanistan's rise - Rashid Khan and Co. come into this tournament carrying belief. Their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, where they qualified for the semis, underlined just how far they have come as a white-ball side. This is a team that genuinely believes it can beat anyone on its day. Playing all their group matches in India only adds to that confidence. Memories of the 2023 ODI World Cup will still be fresh, especially here in Chennai, where they registered that famous, convincing win over Pakistan. Their preparation has been solid too. They won both warm up games against Scotland and the West Indies, and the squad itself feels nicely balanced. There is experience at the top with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and vice-captain Ibrahim Zadran, while youngsters like Darwish Rasooli and Sediqullah Atal add freshness to the batting group. The all-round options are one of Afghanistan’s biggest strengths. Spin and pace are both well covered. Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi provide quality spin, while Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai give them seam options, with Omarzai also expected to take the new ball. They will, however, miss Naveen-ul-Haq, who is sidelined with a stress fracture in his right shoulder. That absence leaves their pace attack a little short on experience. Fazalhaq Farooqi is the senior specialist quick, but he hasn’t quite been as effective as he once was. Abdullah Ahmadzai and Ziaur Rahman are the other seam options, while the spin department also includes Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad. New Zealand seeking redemption - The Kiwis are looking to turn the page after a disappointing 2024 T20 World Cup, where they crashed out in the group stage following defeats to Afghanistan and West Indies. Their only wins came against Uganda and Papua New Guinea. In terms of preparation, Mitchell Santner's side could hardly have asked for a more useful build-up than a five-match T20I series against India right before the World Cup. While the 4-1 scoreline does not make for great reading, there would have been plenty of learnings taken from that series. In their lone warm-up game, the USA pushed them hard, but a big total of 209 proved just enough in the end. There are a few concerns in the New Zealand camp. Michael Bracewell is nursing a calf injury, and his availability remains uncertain. On top of that, two key fast bowlers, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry, are expected to take paternity leave at some stage during the tournament. That places extra responsibility on Jacob Duffy, who was the breakout star of 2025. Kyle Jamieson wasn’t initially named in the squad but was drafted in after Adam Milne picked up an injury. Spin duties will largely rest with Santner and Ish Sodhi, with Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra offering handy support. Ravindra, though, has struggled for form in this format of late, and whether he can rediscover his rhythm on the World Cup stage remains one of the big questions. At the top, the opening pair of Tim Seifert and Finn Allen promises plenty of fireworks, especially with Allen coming off a stellar BBL season. Devon Conway could be the one to miss out, depending on the combination they go with. In the middle order, Daryl Mitchell will be absolutely crucial. His ability to handle spin and the form he showed on the recent tour of India make him a key figure. New Zealand will also want contributions from Phillips, Mark Chapman and James Neesham to really stamp their authority. Team form (Last 5 T20Is, latest result first) - Afghanistan - LWWWW | New Zealand - LWLLL. Conditions in Chennai - An 11 am start rules out the possibility of any dew, which should keep things nice and even for both sides. It also brings the spinners from both sides right into the game. With the sun beating down, there is every chance the surface would slow down as the match goes on, and that extra layer of intrigue could play a big role in how this contest unfolds. You can’t help but feel that how New Zealand handle the Afghan spin attack will be decisive. Their last T20I meeting came in Guyana during the previous World Cup, where Afghanistan produced a stunning performance, bowling the Kiwis out for just 75 and sealing a comprehensive 84-run win. This affair in Chennai has all the ingredients for another fascinating chapter, and given the makeup of the group, an early win could prove absolutely crucial. Who are you rooting for?