On a sun-drenched Sunday at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, New Zealand pulled off their highest-ever successful chase in T20 World Cup history, defeating Afghanistan by five wickets in a pulsating group stage encounter. The day began with Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan winning the toss and electing to bat—a decision influenced by the 11am start and the expectation that dew would not play a part in the day game. Both teams entered the contest with a sense of unfinished business, especially New Zealand, who were eager to avenge their humiliating defeat to Afghanistan in the group stage of the previous T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan’s lineup was packed with spin, featuring Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi, while left-arm wristspinner Noor Ahmad—who had enjoyed success at Chepauk with Chennai Super Kings—was left out. Ziaur Rahman Sharifi replaced the injured Naveen-ul-Haq, joining Fazalhaq Farooqi as the frontline seamers, with Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib offering seam-bowling support. New Zealand, on the other hand, went heavy on pace, entrusting Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Jacob Duffy to exploit the grassy surface, with captain Mitchell Santner as the sole specialist spinner.
The Chepauk ground itself added a layer of intrigue. With the outfield recently relaid and the venue not having hosted a competitive match since the IPL in April 2025, both teams faced a degree of uncertainty about how the pitch would play. As Rashid Khan led his men onto the field, Afghanistan’s loyal fan base—many of whom have adopted India as a home away from home—buzzed with anticipation, hoping their side could replicate the magic of their 2023 ODI World Cup triumph at the same venue.
Afghanistan’s innings started cautiously. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran managed to weather the early storm, but Lockie Ferguson shattered their composure in the final over of the powerplay. First, he had Zadran caught at point by Glenn Phillips for 10, then bowled Gurbaz for 27 with a slower ball that kissed the inside edge. Suddenly, Afghanistan were 44 for 2 after six overs and needed someone to steady the ship.
Enter Gulbadin Naib. Promoted to bat at number three, Naib seized the moment with a career-defining innings. He reached his maiden T20 World Cup half-century in just 30 balls, eventually scoring a blistering 63 off 35 deliveries, peppered with three fours and four sixes. His knock was the backbone of Afghanistan’s total, as he stabilized the innings after the early setbacks. Sediqullah Atal contributed a measured 29 from 24 balls, and Darwish Rasooli chipped in with a quickfire 20, but it was Naib’s fireworks that propelled Afghanistan to a formidable 182 for 6 at the end of their 20 overs.
New Zealand’s chase began with immediate drama. Tim Seifert, returning from a shoulder niggle, started aggressively, but Mujeeb Ur Rahman turned the game on its head in the second over. With consecutive deliveries, he dismissed Finn Allen (bowled for 1) and Rachin Ravindra (bowled for 0), leaving New Zealand reeling at 14 for 2. The Afghan spinners, led by Mujeeb and Rashid Khan, threatened to choke the chase early on.
Yet, Seifert was undeterred. He counterattacked with a flurry of boundaries, finding a reliable partner in Glenn Phillips. Together, they rebuilt the innings, pushing New Zealand past 50 by the end of the powerplay. By the halfway mark, the Black Caps were 101 for 3, needing 82 from the final nine overs. Seifert survived a massive scare when Rashid Khan dropped a sharp return catch with the batter on 48—a moment that would prove costly for Afghanistan. Seifert capitalized, racing to 65 from 42 balls, including seven fours and three sixes, before falling to Mohammad Nabi. His innings laid the perfect platform for the chase.
Phillips, meanwhile, played a crucial supporting role with a brisk 42 off 25 balls, ensuring the asking rate never spiraled out of control. Mark Chapman’s 28 from 17 kept the scoreboard ticking, even as wickets fell at intervals. The tension ramped up when Chapman was caught by Rashid Khan off Azmatullah Omarzai with 28 runs still needed from 26 balls, but New Zealand’s depth shone through. Captain Mitchell Santner finished the job in style, smashing a six and a four off Ziaur Rahman’s over to bring the equation down to 13 required from 18 balls.
Ultimately, New Zealand reached 183 for 5 in just 17.5 overs, completing a record chase and breaking their own T20 World Cup mark for the highest successful pursuit—their previous best being 167. This victory was particularly sweet, as it erased the bitter memory of their 84-run defeat to Afghanistan in Guyana two years prior, a result that had knocked them out of the tournament and propelled Afghanistan to the semi-finals.
For Afghanistan, the loss was a tough pill to swallow. Before this match, they had never lost a T20 World Cup game after scoring more than 175 in the first innings. Gulbadin Naib’s heroic effort with the bat was not enough to extend that streak. Their bowlers, especially Mujeeb, gave glimpses of hope, but the New Zealand batsmen’s composure under pressure made the difference.
New Zealand’s win was even more impressive considering their depleted squad. Rachin Ravindra had only just recovered from illness to make the XI, while Michael Bracewell missed out due to a calf injury, and Finn Allen was returning from a shoulder problem. Yet, the Black Caps showed resilience and depth, with contributions from every department.
The match also highlighted the evolving rivalry between these two teams. Their T20I head-to-head now stands at two wins apiece, with each side having inflicted a heavy defeat on the other in recent tournaments. As the T20 World Cup 2026 group stage unfolds, both teams will look to build on the lessons from this high-octane clash.
For now, New Zealand can savor a historic chase and the satisfaction of setting the record straight against a dangerous Afghanistan side. With their confidence restored, the Black Caps look poised to make a deep run in the tournament, while Afghanistan will regroup and aim to bounce back in their remaining group matches.