by New Zealand delivered a confident all-round performance to secure a convincing win against Afghanistan in their T20I World Cup encounter. From the very first over, the Kiwis looked in control, showing why they are considered one of the most disciplined teams in world cricket.
Batting first/second (as per match situation), New Zealand’s top order laid a solid foundation, combining sensible shot selection with timely aggression. The middle order added quick runs, pushing the total to a competitive score that put Afghanistan under pressure.
Afghanistan fought hard, with a few batters showing resistance, but New Zealand’s bowling attack proved too sharp. The bowlers maintained tight lines and lengths, picking up regular wickets and never allowing Afghanistan to build momentum. Brilliant fielding further tilted the match in New Zealand’s favor.
With this win, New Zealand strengthened their position in the T20I World Cup, sending a strong message to other contenders. Afghanistan, despite the loss, showed glimpses of talent and fighting spirit that promise better performances ahead.
New Zealand Outclass Afghanistan in T20I World Cup Clash
Afghanistan (20 ovs maximum)
| Batting | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz † | b Ferguson | 27 | 22 | 32 | 2 | 1 | 122.72 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | c Phillips b Ferguson | 10 | 12 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 83.33 |
| Gulbadin Naib | c †Seifert b Ravindra | 63 | 35 | 59 | 3 | 4 | 180.00 |
| Sediqullah Atal | c †Seifert b Duffy | 29 | 24 | 40 | 2 | 0 | 120.83 |
| Darwish Rasooli | c Phillips b Henry | 20 | 13 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 153.84 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | run out (Neesham/Ferguson) | 14 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 200.00 |
| Mohammad Nabi | not out | 10 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 142.85 |
| Extras | (lb 3, w 6) | 9 | |||||
| Total | 20 Ov (RR: 9.10) | 182/6 | |||||
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | WD | NB |
| Matt Henry | 4 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacob Duffy | 3 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 10.00 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Lockie Ferguson | 4 | 0 | 40 | 2 | 10.00 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| James Neesham | 3 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 11.00 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Mitchell Santner | 4 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 5.75 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Glenn Phillips | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12.00 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 1 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 14.00 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
New Zealand (T: 183 runs from 20 ovs)
| Batting | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |
| Tim Seifert † | c Azmatullah Omarzai b Mohammad Nabi | 65 | 42 | 62 | 7 | 3 | 154.76 |
| Finn Allen | b Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 1 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Rachin Ravindra | b Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Glenn Phillips | b Rashid Khan | 42 | 25 | 37 | 7 | 1 | 168.00 |
| Mark Chapman | c Rashid Khan b Azmatullah Omarzai | 28 | 17 | 30 | 2 | 1 | 164.70 |
| Daryl Mitchell | not out | 25 | 14 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 178.57 |
| Mitchell Santner (c) | not out | 17 | 8 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 212.50 |
| Extras | (nb 2, w 3) | 5 | |||||
| Total | 17.5 Ov (RR: 10.26) | 183/5 | |||||
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | WD | NB |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 2 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 12.50 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 4 | 0 | 31 | 2 | 7.75 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 3.5 | 0 | 40 | 1 | 10.43 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| Rashid Khan | 4 | 0 | 36 | 1 | 9.00 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Ziaur Rahman | 3 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 11.00 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 1 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 18.00 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
