The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips combined to lift New Zealand to a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their opening game of the 2026 T20 World Cup on Sunday.
Afghanistan batted first and posted 182 for 6, powered by
Gulbadin Naib’s 63 off 35 balls and a quick double-strike from Mujeeb Ur Rahman
that threatened to derail New Zealand early in the chase. The Chepauk pitch
offered substantial bounce and some assistance for slower bowlers, making the
total appear competitive.
New Zealand lost Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra to Mujeeb in
the second over, putting the chase under early pressure. Phillips steadied the
innings, surviving a hat-trick ball and then attacking alongside Seifert to
loosen Afghanistan’s grip on the match.
The game turned decisively when the pair hit Rashid Khan for
14 in his opening over, a blow from which Afghanistan never recovered. New
Zealand completed the chase with nearly two overs to spare, setting a strong
tone in a group that also features South Africa.
