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The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team match scorecard from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 records an exciting contest played on February 8, 2026, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India. Afghanistan scored 182/6 in 20 overs, but New Zealand chased down the target with five wickets remaining.
Tim Seifert led New Zealand’s successful chase with 65 runs from 42 balls, while Gulbadin Naib top-scored for Afghanistan with 63 from 35 deliveries. New Zealand won by five wickets with 13 balls remaining, and Seifert was named Player of the Match.
Match Details
| Match information | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Afghanistan vs New Zealand |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match number | 4th Match, Group D |
| Date | February 8, 2026 |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Format | T20 International |
| Toss | Afghanistan won and elected to bat |
| Afghanistan score | 182/6 in 20 overs |
| New Zealand score | 183/5 in 17.5 overs |
| Result | New Zealand won by 5 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Tim Seifert |
The match highlighted Afghanistan’s ability to post a competitive total and New Zealand’s depth in a pressure-filled chase. After losing two early wickets, New Zealand recovered through a strong partnership between Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team Batting Scorecard
Afghanistan batted first after winning the toss. Their innings began with early setbacks as Lockie Ferguson dismissed Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Gulbadin Naib then took control, scoring an aggressive half-century and building an important partnership with Sediqullah Atal. Afghanistan finished with 182/6, giving their bowlers a competitive target to defend.
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) | b Lockie Ferguson | 27 | 22 | 2 | 1 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | c Glenn Phillips b Lockie Ferguson | 10 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| Gulbadin Naib | c Tim Seifert b Rachin Ravindra | 63 | 35 | 3 | 4 |
| Sediqullah Atal | c Tim Seifert b Jacob Duffy | 29 | 24 | 2 | 0 |
| Darwish Rasooli | c Glenn Phillips b Matt Henry | 20 | 13 | 1 | 1 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | Run out | 14 | 7 | 0 | 2 |
| Mohammad Nabi | Not out | 10 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Extras | — | 9 | — | — | — |
| Total | 6 wickets | 182 | 20 overs |
Scorecard: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Gulbadin Naib was Afghanistan’s leading batter, scoring 63 runs at a strike rate of 180. His innings included four sixes and three boundaries. He combined effectively with Sediqullah Atal, who contributed 29 runs, helping Afghanistan recover after losing two early wickets.
Darwish Rasooli added 20 runs, while Omarzai and Nabi provided useful late contributions. Although Afghanistan reached 182, the team needed early wickets and disciplined bowling to prevent New Zealand from completing the chase.
Afghanistan Bowling Scorecard
Afghanistan’s bowling attack featured several experienced players, including Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, and Fazalhaq Farooqi. Mujeeb made an immediate impact by dismissing Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra in consecutive deliveries, reducing New Zealand to 14/2.
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 2 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 4 | 0 | 31 | 2 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 3.5 | 0 | 40 | 1 |
| Rashid Khan | 4 | 0 | 36 | 1 |
| Ziaur Rahman Sharifi | 3 | 0 | 33 | 0 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 1 | 0 | 18 | 1 |
Mujeeb’s double strike gave Afghanistan an opportunity to take control of the match. Rashid Khan also removed Glenn Phillips after the batter had built a dangerous partnership with Seifert.
However, Afghanistan could not maintain the pressure throughout the innings. New Zealand’s middle and lower order continued to score quickly, and the target was reached before the final two overs began.
New Zealand National Cricket Team Batting Scorecard
New Zealand’s chase began dramatically when Mujeeb dismissed Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra. With two wickets down for only 14 runs, the visitors needed a substantial partnership to get back into contention.
Tim Seifert responded with an attacking innings of 65 from 42 balls. Glenn Phillips scored 42 from 25 deliveries, helping New Zealand rebuild through a 74-run partnership. After both batters departed, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, and Mitchell Santner helped complete the chase.
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finn Allen | b Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tim Seifert (wk) | c Azmatullah Omarzai b Mohammad Nabi | 65 | 42 | 7 | 3 |
| Rachin Ravindra | b Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Glenn Phillips | b Rashid Khan | 42 | 25 | 7 | 1 |
| Mark Chapman | c Rashid Khan b Azmatullah Omarzai | 28 | 17 | 2 | 1 |
| Daryl Mitchell | Not out | 25 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
| Mitchell Santner (c) | Not out | 17 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
| Extras | — | 5 | — | — | — |
| Total | 5 wickets | 183 | 17.5 overs |
Scorecard: ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz match records.
Seifert’s innings was the defining performance of the chase. He maintained a high scoring rate without allowing the early wickets to derail New Zealand’s innings. Phillips added momentum with seven fours and a six, while Chapman scored 28 to keep the required rate manageable.
Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner remained unbeaten, scoring 25 and 17 respectively. Their contributions ensured New Zealand reached 183/5 in 17.5 overs, winning with 13 balls remaining.
New Zealand Bowling Scorecard
New Zealand’s bowlers made an early impact and limited Afghanistan’s ability to accelerate consistently. Lockie Ferguson was particularly effective in the powerplay, while Rachin Ravindra, Jacob Duffy, and Matt Henry also claimed wickets.
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Henry | 4 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| Jacob Duffy | 3 | 0 | 30 | 1 |
| Lockie Ferguson | 4 | 0 | 40 | 2 |
| James Neesham | 3 | 0 | 33 | 0 |
| Mitchell Santner | 4 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| Glenn Phillips | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 1 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
Ferguson finished with two wickets for 40 runs, removing both Afghanistan openers. Santner was economical, conceding 23 runs in four overs, while Henry and Duffy each took a wicket.
The attack’s early breakthroughs were important, but Afghanistan recovered through Naib’s aggressive batting. New Zealand’s total chase ultimately showed that a strong bowling start must be supported by consistent execution throughout the innings.
Fall of Wickets and Key Partnerships
The fall of wickets provides a useful picture of how the match developed. Afghanistan lost early wickets but rebuilt through Naib and Atal. New Zealand experienced a similar challenge when Mujeeb removed both opening batters in the second over.
| Team | Wicket | Score | Over |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Ibrahim Zadran | 35/1 | 5.1 |
| Afghanistan | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 44/2 | 6.0 |
| Afghanistan | Sediqullah Atal | 123/3 | 14.3 |
| Afghanistan | Gulbadin Naib | 156/4 | 17.2 |
| Afghanistan | Darwish Rasooli | 164/5 | 18.1 |
| Afghanistan | Azmatullah Omarzai | 182/6 | 20.0 |
| New Zealand | Finn Allen | 14/1 | 1.3 |
| New Zealand | Rachin Ravindra | 14/2 | 1.4 |
| New Zealand | Glenn Phillips | 88/3 | 9.2 |
| New Zealand | Tim Seifert | 124/4 | 12.5 |
| New Zealand | Mark Chapman | 155/5 | 15.4 |
Wicket milestones compiled from the match scorecard.
The 79-run third-wicket partnership between Naib and Atal was crucial to Afghanistan’s recovery. For New Zealand, the partnership between Seifert and Phillips turned a difficult start into a controlled chase. Their scoring helped New Zealand pass 100 and reduced the pressure on the batters who followed.
Player of the Match: Tim Seifert
Tim Seifert was named Player of the Match after scoring 65 runs from 42 balls. His innings included seven fours and three sixes, giving New Zealand the momentum they needed after losing two wickets early.
Seifert’s performance was significant because Afghanistan had put New Zealand under pressure immediately. Instead of playing cautiously, he counterattacked and kept the required run rate under control. His partnership with Phillips helped shift the match in New Zealand’s favour.
Other standout performers included:
- Gulbadin Naib: 63 runs from 35 balls for Afghanistan.
- Glenn Phillips: 42 runs from 25 balls.
- Lockie Ferguson: Two wickets for New Zealand.
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman: Two wickets in the powerplay.
- Daryl Mitchell: An unbeaten 25 during the closing stages.
These performances defined a match in which both teams produced strong individual contributions, but New Zealand’s batters handled the chase more effectively.
Afghanistan vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Context
Afghanistan and New Zealand have met in several major ICC competitions, including T20 World Cups and ODI World Cups. Afghanistan have demonstrated that they can challenge established international teams through aggressive batting and high-quality spin bowling.
One of the most memorable earlier meetings came at the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, when Afghanistan defeated New Zealand by 84 runs. In the 2026 tournament, New Zealand reversed that result with a five-wicket victory in Chennai.
These matches illustrate how conditions and execution can influence outcomes. Afghanistan’s spin attack can create pressure on turning pitches, while New Zealand’s pace bowlers and flexible batting lineup can be effective in a range of conditions.
The February 2026 fixture also highlighted the importance of partnerships. Afghanistan recovered from early wickets to reach 182, but New Zealand’s Seifert-Phillips partnership was decisive in the chase.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Afghanistan vs New Zealand match in the 2026 T20 World Cup?
New Zealand won by five wickets on February 8, 2026. They scored 183/5 in 17.5 overs while chasing Afghanistan’s total of 182/6.
2. What was Afghanistan’s score against New Zealand?
Afghanistan scored 182 runs for six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Gulbadin Naib top-scored with 63 runs from 35 balls.
3. Who was the highest scorer in the match?
Tim Seifert was the highest scorer overall, making 65 runs from 42 balls for New Zealand. Gulbadin Naib was Afghanistan’s highest scorer with 63.
4. Who was named Player of the Match?
Tim Seifert received the award for his match-winning innings of 65 runs, which helped New Zealand recover from losing two early wickets.
5. Where was the Afghanistan vs New Zealand match played?
The match was played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India, on February 8, 2026, during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Conclusion
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team match scorecard from the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup records a five-wicket victory for New Zealand. Afghanistan posted 182/6, driven by Gulbadin Naib’s 63, but New Zealand chased the target down with 13 balls to spare.
Tim Seifert’s 65 and Glenn Phillips’ 42 were central to the successful chase after Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Ur Rahman dismissed both New Zealand openers early. Lockie Ferguson’s two wickets and Afghanistan’s strong middle-order partnership made the contest competitive, but New Zealand’s batting depth ultimately proved decisive.
For readers analysing the scorecard, the key details are Afghanistan’s 182/6, New Zealand’s 183/5, Seifert’s Player of the Match performance, and the five-wicket result. Together, they explain how New Zealand overcame early pressure to begin their 2026 T20 World Cup campaign with a win.
