NZ 52/2 in 6 Overs (Target 183) | New Zealand vs Afghanistan Live Score Updates, T20 World Cup 2026 Match 4: Tim Seifert, Glenn Phillips Consolidate

Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips have managed to rebuild the innings for Black Caps, taking the team across the 50-run mark. Both have played their shots and not gone into a shell against spinners, who are ifnding support in the middle. 

OUT! Two-in-two for Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and New Zealand are two down. Rachin Ravindra pushed forward, but played down the wrong line, as the ball went past the bat and clipped the off-stump. 

OUT! Mujeeb Ur Rahman draws first blood for Afghanistan, and the in-form Finn Allen departs. Allen missed the ball completely; that might have caught a crack on the pitch and skidded though. 

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen are in the middle for New Zealand, with the Kiwis facing an uphill task against Afghanistan, who have never lost a T20I defending over 180. The sluggish nature of the pitch might make things difficult for Allen and Seifert. 

Afghanistan have managed to put the highest team total of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, managing 181 for 5 in 20 overs. Gulbadin Naib starred with 63, while others chipped in with 20s. Lockie Ferguson, despite claiming two wickets, was amongst the most expensive Kiwi bowlers. 

FIFTY! A solid knock from Gulbadin Naib after being promoted up the batting order. Naib brings up his fourth T20I fifty in just 29 balls, which included two fours and three sixes, and have added 79. Sediqullah Atal.

After Lockie Ferguson's double strike, Afghanistan have played with caution, and batter Gulbadin Naib and Sediqullah Atal have rebuilt the innings, adding 40 off 30. An important phase of the match, both batters need to stay as late as possible, as hitting for a new batter is tough here. 

OUT! Lockie Ferguson gets the final laugh, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets himself bowled. Ferguson uses the slower ball to his advantage and fools the batter with a lack of pace, who went early into his drive, and managed to chop the ball onto the stumps. 

OUT! Introduction of sheer pace, and Afghanistan lose the first wicket. Lockie Ferguson comes into the attack and removes Ibrahim Zadran, who failed to capitalise on the cut shot, and manages to hand a catch at point. 

This has been a solid start by Afghanistan's openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who have been cautious in the middle. Gurbaz did survive with the wicket-keeper dropping a chance due to confusion with fielder. 

Afghanistan will hope their veteran openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provide them a steady start. Zadran and Gurbaz will need to play out inital overs, with the new ball and fresh pitch helping the bowlers. 

Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi

New Zealand XI: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy

TOSS! Afghanistan win toss, and captain Rashid Khan opts to bat first against New Zealand in their T20 World Cup 2026 opener. 

Hello and welcome to LatestLY's coverage of the NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup 2026 match, which is taking place in Chennai. NZ will look to avenge their defeat from the last edition, while AFG will aim to continue their winning run here as well.