Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan won the toss and elected to bat first. The Afghan team posted a competitive total of 182 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Gulbadin Naib led the batting charge with a brilliant knock of 63 runs off 35 balls. Sediqullah Atal scored 29, Rahmanullah Gurbaz made 27, and Darwish Rasooli contributed 20 runs. Azmatullah Omarzai was run out after scoring 14, while Mohammad Nabi remained not out on 10.

For New Zealand, Lockie Ferguson and Jacob Duffy picked up two wickets each, while Matt Henry and Rachin Ravindra claimed one wicket apiece.

Chasing a target of 183 runs, the Black Caps reached the total in the 18th over, losing five wickets in the process. Tim Seifert played a match-winning innings of 65 runs, while Glenn Phillips added a crucial 42 to guide his team to victory.

Mark Chapman scored 28 runs before getting out, while Finn Allen managed just one run and Rachin Ravindra was dismissed for a duck. Daryl Mitchell remained unbeaten on 25, and captain Mitchell Santner finished on 17 not out.

From Afghanistan’s bowling attack, Mujeeb Ur Rahman took two wickets, while Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Nabi picked up one wicket each.

It is worth noting that the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 features 20 teams divided into four groups. On the opening day of the tournament, Pakistan defeated the Netherlands in Group A, India beat the United States, and the West Indies secured a victory over Scotland.

Two more matches are scheduled to be played today, with England taking on Nepal, while Scotland will face Italy. The early stages of the tournament have already delivered thrilling contests, adding to the excitement for cricket fans worldwide.