NZ down Afghanistan to complete highest successful T20 WC chase

New Zealand rewrote a piece of World Cup history in Chennai, chasing down Afghanistan's 182 for 6 to complete their highest successful run chase in T20 World Cups. It was also the highest target successfully chased against Afghanistan in T20Is.

On a Chepauk surface offering grip and bounce, the target looked strong enough to test New Zealand's deep batting line-up, especially as Afghanistan had never lost a T20I after posting 180 or more. The challenge grew when Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in his opening over, dismissing Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra to leave New Zealand two down inside the first two overs.

Tim Seifert responded with a counterattacking innings. The in-form opener took on the seamers in the PowerPlay and played Mujeeb with a straight bat, denying Afghanistan further inroads. Glenn Phillips supported him in a quick half-century partnership that stabilised the innings and kept the required rate in check.

Rashid Khan was introduced immediately after the PowerPlay but struggled for control. Phillips hit him for a six straight down the ground. Although Rashid bowled Phillips with a full delivery in his second over, the 74-run stand off 46 balls had already swung momentum New Zealand's way.

Seifert, dropped on 48 by Rashid off his own bowling, reached his fifty off 39 balls with a flat six against Mohammad Nabi. He hit another maximum and a four in the same over before holing out.

Mark Chapman then played a crucial role, comfortable against both Rashid and Mujeeb, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. Though Seifert eventually fell for a superb 65, New Zealand were firmly in control, needing 59 from 43 balls.

Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner completed the chase without further alarm, sealing victory with 13 balls to spare. Rashid Khan conceded 36 in his four overs, while Nabi's only over went for 18 runs.

Earlier, Afghanistan built their total through a strong second half. New Zealand's seamers were disciplined in the PowerPlay, with Lockie Ferguson striking twice in the sixth over to remove both openers.

At 72 for 2 after ten overs, Afghanistan needed acceleration. It came through Gulbadin Naib, promoted to No. 3. Naib hit 3 fours and 4 sixes, adding 79 off 51 balls with Sediqullah Atal for the third wicket.

Atal fell to a slower ball from Jacob Duffy, but Naib continued to a well-compiled fifty off 30 balls before top-edging a slog back to the keeper off Ravindra.

A late surge in the final overs, with Darwish Rasooli making 20 off 13 and Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi hitting three sixes between them, took Afghanistan to 182—a total that proved insufficient.

Brief Scores: Afghanistan 182/6 (Naib 63; Ferguson 2-40) lost to NZ 183/5 in 17.5 overs (Seifert 65; Mujeeb 2-31) by 5 wickets