Devastating Chase: New Zealand Crushes Afghanistan in T20 World Cup Thriller
Abhishek 
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – NZ vs AFG 4th T20 Match Result
- The Result: New Zealand secured a dominant 5-wicket victory over Afghanistan with 13 balls to spare.
- Match Hero: Tim Seifert earned the “Player of the Match” title for his explosive 65 runs off 42 deliveries.
- Crucial Support: Glenn Phillips (42) and Mark Chapman (28) provided the middle-order stability needed to finish the chase.
- The Target: Afghanistan posted a competitive 182/6, but New Zealand’s aggressive batting saw them reach 183/5 in just 17.5 overs.
The Chase: Seifert and Phillips Lead the Charge
Chasing a target of 183 in a T20 World Cup high-pressure environment is a tough task, but New Zealand made it look clinical. The foundation of the innings was Tim Seifert, who dismantled the bowling attack with 7 boundaries and 3 massive sixes. Despite losing Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra early to Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s spin, Seifert remained composed and kept the scoreboard ticking.
Glenn Phillips injected much-needed aggression during the middle overs, striking at an impressive 168.00. His quick-fire 42 off 25 balls effectively shifted the momentum, making the target appear much smaller than it was.
The Hero: Tim Seifert’s Match-Winning Blitz
- Runs Scored: 65 off 42 balls.
- Strike Rate: 154.76.
- Boundary Count: 7 Fours and 3 Sixes.
- Impact: Seifert anchored the innings for 62 minutes, ensuring the chase never went out of reach.
Read Also: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: Full Schedule, Groups, and Venues
New Zealand’s Batting Roadmap
| Player | Contribution | Key Highlight |
| Glenn Phillips | 42 (25) | Smashed 7 boundaries at a 168.00 SR. |
| Mark Chapman | 28 (17) | Provided quick acceleration in the 15th over. |
| Daryl Mitchell | 25* (14) | Finished the game with a 178.57 SR. |
| Mitchell Santner | 17* (8) | The Captain hit 2 boundaries to seal the win. |
Afghanistan’s Bowling Resistance
Afghanistan’s bowling unit showed flashes of brilliance. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was lethal in the powerplay, removing both New Zealand openers for just 1 run each. Rashid Khan also displayed his class by picking up the wickets of Phillips and Chapman. However, the late-order composure of Daryl Mitchell (25*) and Captain Mitchell Santner (17*) ensured New Zealand crossed the finish line comfortably.
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman: The early threat, taking 2 wickets in the powerplay.
- Rashid Khan: Managed 2 wickets but conceded runs at an economy of 10.00+.
- Mohammad Nabi: Picked up the crucial wicket of Tim Seifert.
New Zealand Bowling Highlights
- Lockie Ferguson: Leading the attack with 2 wickets for 40 runs.
- Matt Henry: Highly economical with 1/27 (6.75 Econ).
- Mitchell Santner: Though wicketless, he was the most restrictive bowler (5.75 Econ).
Frequently Asked Questions About NZ vs AFG 4th T20 Match
Q: Who won the New Zealand vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup match?
Ans: New Zealand won the match by 5 wickets, chasing down the target with 13 balls to spare.
Q: Who was the Player of the Match in NZ vs AFG?
Ans: Tim Seifert was named Player of the Match for his brilliant innings of 65 runs off 42 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes.
Q: What was the final score for Afghanistan?
Ans: Afghanistan scored 182/6 in their 20 overs, with New Zealand reaching 183/5 in 17.5 overs.
Q: Which bowler was most economical for New Zealand?
Ans: Mitchell Santner was the most economical, conceding only 23 runs in his 4 overs at an economy rate of 5.75.
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