New Zealand pulled off their highest run chase in T20 World Cup history as they opened their Group D campaign with a five-wicket win over Afghanistan. Set a tricky 183 in Chennai, the Black Caps recovered from a parlous 14-2 thanks to opener Tim Seifert's 65 off 42 balls.
Seifert hammered back-to-back sixes off Mohammad Nabi - bringing up his half-century in the process - only to fall a couple of deliveries later to the experienced spinner when he holed out to square leg. There would have been a few nerves when Mark Chapman departed for 28 but with Rashid and Mujeeb bowled out, Mitchell and Santner showed the required composure to complete the job.
Mitchell finished unbeaten on 25 off 14 balls while Santner whacked 17 not out off eight as New Zealand won with 13 balls to spare. Their pursuit of the target eclipsed their previous best World Cup chase of 167 against England in the semi-finals of the 2021 tournament.
Gulbadin Naib had earlier provided the backbone of Afghanistan's 182-6 with a pugnacious 63 off 35 balls. The all-rounder struck three fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 180.00 as he shared stands with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal.
Lockie Ferguson claimed 2-40 while Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy and Rachin Ravindra chipped in with a wicket each. New Zealand looked in trouble when Mujeeb Ur Rahman removed Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra for 1 and 0 respectively, but Seifert and Glenn Phillips rebuilt with a third-wicket partnership of 74 before the latter was bowled by Rashid Khan for a 25-ball 42.
The Kiwis still had work to do at 155-5 with four overs remaining but Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner upped the ante and Afghanistan's seamers had no answer to their measured aggression.
Seifert hammered back-to-back sixes off Mohammad Nabi - bringing up his half-century in the process - only to fall a couple of deliveries later to the experienced spinner when he holed out to square leg. There would have been a few nerves when Mark Chapman departed for 28 but with Rashid and Mujeeb bowled out, Mitchell and Santner showed the required composure to complete the job.
Mitchell finished unbeaten on 25 off 14 balls while Santner whacked 17 not out off eight as New Zealand won with 13 balls to spare. Their pursuit of the target eclipsed their previous best World Cup chase of 167 against England in the semi-finals of the 2021 tournament.
Gulbadin Naib had earlier provided the backbone of Afghanistan's 182-6 with a pugnacious 63 off 35 balls. The all-rounder struck three fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 180.00 as he shared stands with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal.
Lockie Ferguson claimed 2-40 while Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy and Rachin Ravindra chipped in with a wicket each. New Zealand looked in trouble when Mujeeb Ur Rahman removed Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra for 1 and 0 respectively, but Seifert and Glenn Phillips rebuilt with a third-wicket partnership of 74 before the latter was bowled by Rashid Khan for a 25-ball 42.
The Kiwis still had work to do at 155-5 with four overs remaining but Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner upped the ante and Afghanistan's seamers had no answer to their measured aggression.
, and I'm still buzzing about it! The scenic views, the food trucks, the music festivals... it was like a dream come true 
. But what really got me thinking is how much I love hiking and trying new outdoor adventures – there's something about being immersed in nature that just clears my mind, you know? 
And speaking of nature, have you seen those stunning photos of the Northern Lights from Iceland recently? Mind blown! 
NZ just proved they're not done yet! 183 for 5 and they smash it 
! Seifert's 65 off 42 was a masterclass, glad he got some runs under his belt 
. Now let's see how they stack up against India and Pakistan 
they really showed some great team spirit and composure under pressure, especially with mitchell and santner coming in at the end to see them through 
its clear that tim seifert's 65 off 42 balls made all the difference - that's some serious power hitting! 
️ meanwhile, afghanistan's gulbadin naib put up a great fight with his 63 off 35 balls 
! Tim Seifert was a total game-changer, you know? He just took off like a shot 
! And Mitchell Santner's 17 not out off just 8 balls? That's some serious power hitting right there 
! The way they stuck together and saw it through to the end? Real classy 
. Don't think Afghanistan should be too disappointed, either - that 182-6 was a solid effort from their bowlers 
Only a couple of deliveries later and he's out, but still what a shot. I was on the edge of my seat watching that! 
. Can't wait to see how NZ progresses in this tournament 