T20 World Cup: Seifert leads New Zealand to win over Afghanistan

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.

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.

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 one and zero 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.

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. (BBC)