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The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team match scorecard provides a detailed record of one of the exciting contests between the two teams in T20 international cricket. Afghanistan and New Zealand met in the opening stages of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with the match taking place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on 8 February 2026.
Afghanistan, after winning the toss, scored 182/6 in 20 overs. Gulbadin Naib led the batting effort with an aggressive 63 from 35 balls, while Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli also made useful contributions.
New Zealand responded strongly, reaching 183/5 in 17.5 overs to win by five wickets with 13 balls remaining. Tim Seifert was the outstanding performer, scoring 65 from 42 balls, while Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner all contributed during the successful chase.
The match scorecard highlights New Zealand’s ability to recover from a difficult beginning. Afghanistan’s bowlers reduced the Black Caps to 14/2, but Seifert and Phillips rebuilt the innings before New Zealand accelerated toward the target.
Afghanistan vs New Zealand Match Scorecard at a Glance
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Afghanistan vs New Zealand |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Stage | Group D |
| Date | 8 February 2026 |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Format | T20 International |
| Toss | Afghanistan won the toss 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 |
| Winning Margin | 5 wickets |
| Balls Remaining | 13 |
| Player of the Match | Tim Seifert |
| Afghanistan Top Scorer | Gulbadin Naib – 63 |
| New Zealand Top Scorer | Tim Seifert – 65 |
| Best Afghanistan Bowler | Mujeeb Ur Rahman – 2/31 |
| Best New Zealand Bowler | Lockie Ferguson – 2/40 |
Afghanistan Innings Scorecard
Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first. New Zealand’s fast bowlers made an immediate impact, with Lockie Ferguson dismissing Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz during the powerplay.
Afghanistan were reduced to 44/2 after six overs, putting pressure on the middle order.
Gulbadin Naib then played a crucial innings. Coming in at No. 3, he attacked the New Zealand bowlers and formed an important partnership with Sediqullah Atal.
Naib scored 63 from 35 balls, striking three fours and four sixes. His strike rate of 180 gave Afghanistan the acceleration they needed during the middle overs.
Sediqullah Atal added 29 from 24 balls, and the pair put together a 79-run partnership that stabilized the innings.
Darwish Rasooli later scored 20 from 13 deliveries, while Azmatullah Omarzai contributed 14 from only seven balls. Mohammad Nabi remained unbeaten on 10.
Afghanistan eventually finished on 182/6 in 20 overs.
Afghanistan Batting Scorecard
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 27 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 122.73 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 10 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 83.33 |
| Gulbadin Naib | 63 | 35 | 3 | 4 | 180.00 |
| Sediqullah Atal | 29 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 120.83 |
| Darwish Rasooli | 20 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 153.85 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 14 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 200.00 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 10* | 7 | 0 | 1 | 142.86 |
| Rashid Khan | Did not bat | — | — | — | — |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Did not bat | — | — | — | — |
| Ziaur Rahman | Did not bat | — | — | — | — |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Did not bat | — | — | — | — |
| Extras | 9 | ||||
| Total | 182/6 | 20 overs |
The scorecard shows that Afghanistan’s innings was driven mainly by Naib’s attacking 63. His contribution was particularly important after Afghanistan lost two early wickets.
New Zealand Bowling Scorecard
New Zealand’s bowling attack performed well in the early stages. Lockie Ferguson removed both Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz during the powerplay.
Jacob Duffy and Matt Henry also took important wickets, while Rachin Ravindra dismissed Naib after his aggressive innings.
Mitchell Santner was particularly economical, conceding only 23 runs from his four overs.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Henry | 4 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 |
| Jacob Duffy | 3 | 30 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Lockie Ferguson | 4 | 40 | 2 | 10.00 |
| James Neesham | 3 | 33 | 0 | 11.00 |
| Mitchell Santner | 4 | 23 | 0 | 5.75 |
| Glenn Phillips | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12.00 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 1 | 14 | 1 | 14.00 |
Lockie Ferguson’s 2/40 gave New Zealand early control, while Santner’s economical spell helped limit Afghanistan’s scoring opportunities.
Fall of Wickets – Afghanistan
| Score | Wicket | Over |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Ibrahim Zadran | 5.1 |
| 44 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 5.6 |
| 123 | Sediqullah Atal | 14.3 |
| 156 | Gulbadin Naib | 17.2 |
| 164 | Darwish Rasooli | 18.1 |
| 182 | Azmatullah Omarzai | 19.6 |
Afghanistan’s early wickets prevented the team from making an even larger total. However, Naib’s partnership with Atal ensured they recovered strongly enough to post 182.
New Zealand Innings Scorecard
New Zealand needed 183 runs to win, requiring a scoring rate of just over nine runs per over.
Afghanistan’s spinners produced an excellent start. Mujeeb Ur Rahman dismissed Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra from consecutive deliveries, leaving New Zealand at 14/2.
Glenn Phillips then joined Tim Seifert and helped rebuild the innings.
Phillips scored 42 from 25 balls, including seven fours and a six. He and Seifert added 74 runs for the third wicket.
Seifert continued to attack after Phillips was dismissed. He reached his half-century from 39 balls and eventually scored 65 from 42 deliveries.
Mark Chapman then made 28 from 17 balls, while Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner finished the chase in style.
Mitchell scored an unbeaten 25 from 14 balls, while Santner smashed 17 not out from only eight deliveries.
New Zealand reached 183/5 in 17.5 overs, winning with 13 balls remaining.
New Zealand Batting Scorecard
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Seifert | 65 | 42 | 7 | 3 | 154.76 |
| Finn Allen | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Glenn Phillips | 42 | 25 | 7 | 1 | 168.00 |
| Mark Chapman | 28 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 164.71 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 25* | 14 | 1 | 1 | 178.57 |
| Mitchell Santner | 17* | 8 | 2 | 1 | 212.50 |
| James Neesham | Did not bat | — | — | — | — |
| Matt Henry | Did not bat | — | — | — | — |
| Lockie Ferguson | Did not bat | — | — | — | — |
| Jacob Duffy | Did not bat | — | — | — | — |
| Extras | 5 | ||||
| Total | 183/5 | 17.5 overs |
Tim Seifert was the highest scorer for New Zealand. His 65 provided the foundation for a successful chase after the team lost two wickets very early.
Afghanistan Bowling Scorecard
Afghanistan used six bowlers during the New Zealand innings.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the standout bowler early in the chase, taking two wickets in the second over of the innings.
Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai also claimed one wicket each.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 2 | 25 | 0 | 12.50 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 4 | 31 | 2 | 7.75 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 3.5 | 40 | 1 | 10.43 |
| Rashid Khan | 4 | 36 | 1 | 9.00 |
| Ziaur Rahman | 3 | 33 | 0 | 11.00 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 1 | 18 | 1 | 18.00 |
Mujeeb’s 2/31 was Afghanistan’s best bowling performance. His two early wickets briefly gave Afghanistan control of the chase.
Fall of Wickets – New Zealand
| Score | Wicket | Over |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Finn Allen | 1.3 |
| 14 | Rachin Ravindra | 1.4 |
| 88 | Glenn Phillips | 9.2 |
| 124 | Tim Seifert | 12.5 |
| 155 | Mark Chapman | 15.4 |
The loss of two wickets at 14/2 was the most difficult phase of New Zealand’s innings. Seifert and Phillips then rebuilt the chase with a 74-run partnership.
Key Performers in Afghanistan vs New Zealand
| Player | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Seifert | New Zealand | 65 off 42 balls |
| Gulbadin Naib | Afghanistan | 63 off 35 balls |
| Glenn Phillips | New Zealand | 42 off 25 balls |
| Mark Chapman | New Zealand | 28 off 17 balls |
| Daryl Mitchell | New Zealand | 25* off 14 balls |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Afghanistan | 2/31 |
| Lockie Ferguson | New Zealand | 2/40 |
| Mitchell Santner | New Zealand | 17* off 8 balls and 4-0-23-0 |
Match Turning Points
1. Ferguson’s Double Strike
Lockie Ferguson dismissed Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the powerplay. Afghanistan were reduced to 44/2, creating pressure on the middle order.
2. Gulbadin Naib’s Counterattack
Naib changed the momentum with an aggressive 63. His 79-run partnership with Sediqullah Atal helped Afghanistan recover from the early wickets.
3. Afghanistan Reached 182
The late contributions from Naib, Rasooli, Omarzai and Nabi pushed Afghanistan to 182/6, giving New Zealand a competitive target.
4. Mujeeb’s Two Wickets
Mujeeb Ur Rahman responded immediately during New Zealand’s chase, removing Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra in consecutive deliveries.
5. Seifert and Phillips Rebuild
The 74-run partnership between Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips was arguably the most important stand of the chase. It moved New Zealand from 14/2 to 88/3.
6. Santner and Mitchell Finish the Chase
After Seifert and Chapman departed, Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner completed the chase with an aggressive partnership. New Zealand reached the target in just 17.5 overs.
Partnership Breakdown
| Partnership | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan – Naib & Atal | 79 | 3rd wicket |
| New Zealand – Seifert & Phillips | 74 | 3rd wicket |
| New Zealand – Mitchell & Santner | 28 | 6th wicket |
| New Zealand – Chapman & Seifert | 36 | 4th wicket |
The 74-run partnership between Seifert and Phillips was crucial because it restored New Zealand’s innings after the early loss of Allen and Ravindra.
Afghanistan vs New Zealand Match Statistics
| Statistic | Figure |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan total | 182/6 |
| New Zealand total | 183/5 |
| Afghanistan overs | 20 |
| New Zealand overs | 17.5 |
| Target | 183 |
| Winning margin | 5 wickets |
| Balls remaining | 13 |
| Afghanistan run rate | 9.10 |
| New Zealand run rate | 10.26 |
| Highest individual score | Tim Seifert – 65 |
| Afghanistan top scorer | Gulbadin Naib – 63 |
| Best bowling figures | Mujeeb Ur Rahman – 2/31 |
| New Zealand’s best wicket-taker | Lockie Ferguson – 2/40 |
| Player of the Match | Tim Seifert |
Tim Seifert’s Match-Winning Innings
Tim Seifert was named Player of the Match after scoring 65 from 42 balls.
His innings contained seven fours and three sixes and came at a strike rate of 154.76. More importantly, his innings allowed New Zealand to recover after the side slipped to 14/2.
Seifert first built a partnership with Glenn Phillips and then continued the attack with Mark Chapman. His dismissal at 124/4 left New Zealand requiring 59 runs from 43 balls, but the target was already within reach.
Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner then completed the chase.
Gulbadin Naib’s Contribution
Gulbadin Naib was Afghanistan’s standout batter.
His 63 from 35 balls contained three fours and four sixes. He came to the crease when Afghanistan had already lost two wickets and played aggressively without allowing the required scoring rate to fall.
Naib’s 79-run partnership with Sediqullah Atal took Afghanistan from a difficult position to a competitive one.
His dismissal at 156/4 came during the 18th over, after which Afghanistan added another 26 runs to reach 182.
Afghanistan vs New Zealand in Previous T20 World Cups
Afghanistan and New Zealand have developed an interesting T20 World Cup rivalry.
Their 2024 T20 World Cup meeting was particularly notable. Afghanistan scored 159/6, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz making 80 and Ibrahim Zadran scoring 44. New Zealand were then bowled out for only 75 in 15.2 overs, giving Afghanistan an 84-run victory.
The 2026 meeting produced a completely different result. New Zealand successfully chased 183 with 13 balls remaining.
| T20 World Cup Meeting | Afghanistan | New Zealand | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 159/6 | 75 all out | Afghanistan won by 84 runs |
| 2026 | 182/6 | 183/5 | New Zealand won by 5 wickets |
This contrast illustrates how dramatically the balance between two teams can change from one tournament to another.
Why the Afghanistan vs New Zealand Scorecard Is Important
The match scorecard demonstrates the importance of recovery in T20 cricket.
Afghanistan recovered from 44/2 to score 182/6, largely because of Gulbadin Naib’s attacking half-century. New Zealand then suffered an equally difficult beginning at 14/2 but responded through Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips.
The difference came during the chase. New Zealand maintained a higher scoring rate and reached 100 in only 10.4 overs. Afghanistan were unable to take enough wickets after the Seifert-Phillips partnership, allowing New Zealand to finish the chase comfortably.
The scorecard therefore tells a complete story: Afghanistan posted a competitive total, but New Zealand’s middle-order recovery and finishing power proved decisive.
Conclusion
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team match scorecard from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 records a five-wicket victory for New Zealand at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Afghanistan scored 182/6 in 20 overs, led by Gulbadin Naib’s excellent 63 from 35 balls. New Zealand initially struggled at 14/2 but recovered through Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips.
Seifert scored 65 from 42 balls, while Phillips contributed 42 from 25. Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner then completed the chase as New Zealand reached 183/5 in 17.5 overs.
The result gave New Zealand a five-wicket victory with 13 balls remaining, while Tim Seifert was named Player of the Match.
The scorecard also highlights the contrasting fortunes of the two sides compared with their 2024 T20 World Cup meeting, when Afghanistan defeated New Zealand by 84 runs. Their 2026 contest showed New Zealand’s ability to recover from early wickets and chase a demanding total successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the result of Afghanistan vs New Zealand in the 2026 T20 World Cup?
New Zealand defeated Afghanistan by 5 wickets, chasing 183 in 17.5 overs.
2. What was Afghanistan’s score against New Zealand?
Afghanistan scored 182/6 in 20 overs. Gulbadin Naib was the top scorer with 63 runs from 35 balls.
3. What was New Zealand’s score against Afghanistan?
New Zealand scored 183/5 in 17.5 overs to win the match. Tim Seifert top-scored with 65 runs.
4. Who was the Player of the Match in Afghanistan vs New Zealand?
Tim Seifert was named Player of the Match after scoring 65 from 42 balls.
5. Who took the most wickets in Afghanistan vs New Zealand?
Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Lockie Ferguson were the leading wicket-takers, taking two wickets each. Mujeeb finished with 2/31, while Ferguson took 2/40
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