T20 WORLD CUP | Seifert, Phillips counterattack in style to take New Zealand home

New Zealand secures a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup opener, led by Seifert's impressive 65 runs.

When Mujeeb Ur Rahman castled Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra off successive deliveries in the second over of New Zealand’s chase, Afghanistan would have believed it had a chance to recreate its feat against the same opponent from two years ago.

However, Tim Seifert (65) and Glenn Phillips’ counterattacking knocks ensured the Black Caps would not trip up again as they kick-started their 2026 T20 World Cup (Group D) campaign with a five-wicket win at the MAC Stadium here on Sunday.

Chasing 183, the duo’s 74-run partnership laid the platform for Mitchell Santner’s men to overhaul the target with 13 balls to spare.

The two batters picked their battles wisely, Seifert taking on the pacers while Phillips (42) challenged the spinners. The former set the tone in the first over, smoking left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi for three boundaries. Phillips, meanwhile, swept Mujeeb to the fence a couple of times to guide New Zealand to 52 for two at the end of the PowerPlay.

Glenn Phillips of New Zealand in action during the ICC T20 World Cup match against Afghanistan at the MAC Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, February 8, 2026. | Photo Credit: R. RAGU

Phillips next welcomed Rashid Khan by smashing him for a maximum and a four. Later, Seifert turned on the heat, slogging Mohammad Nabi for consecutive sixes and a four to bring the asking rate down before perishing. Daryl Mitchell and Santner, though, eventually got the job done.