Opener Tim Seifert’s explosive innings of 65 runs off 42 deliveries propelled New Zealand to their highest-ever run chase in a T20 World Cup match, securing a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan on Sunday.
Following Afghanistan’s total of 182-6, New Zealand successfully chased down the target with 13 balls to spare in Chennai, thanks to Seifert’s aggressive batting display and Glenn Phillips’ contribution of 42 runs.
This victory surpassed New Zealand’s previous best chase in the T20 World Cup, which was against England in the 2021 semi-final where they chased down 167 runs.
Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman created early trouble for New Zealand by taking two wickets in successive balls in the second over of the chase, dismissing Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra.
However, Phillips averted a hat-trick and then formed a crucial partnership of 74 runs with Seifert, countering Afghanistan’s spin-heavy bowling attack.
Despite Captain Rashid Khan’s breakthrough by dismissing Phillips, Seifert continued to dominate, reaching his half-century with a six off Mohammad Nabi. Seifert’s aggressive hitting, including consecutive sixes and a boundary off Nabi, was halted when he was caught in the deep.
Although Mark Chapman contributed with a quick 28 runs, Daryl Mitchell and skipper Mitchell Santner guided New Zealand to victory with comfortable knocks of 25 and 17 runs, respectively.
Afghanistan chose to bat after winning the toss, and Gulbadin Naib’s 63 off 35 balls, along with Sediqullah Atal’s 29 runs, helped them recover from a shaky start at 44-2.
Despite various challenges, New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson’s early breakthroughs and solid partnerships from Naib and Atal steered Afghanistan to a competitive total. Naib’s fifty off 29 balls was a standout performance before he was dismissed trying to accelerate the scoring rate.
