New Zealand secured a 5-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their fourth group match of the ICC T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan won the toss and opted to bat first. The team scored 182 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Gulbadin Naib starred with an aggressive 63 off 35 balls, while Sadiqullah Atal contributed 29 and Rahmanullah Gurbaz added 27 runs. Dawaish Rasooli scored 20, Ibrahim Zadran 10, and Azmatullah Omarzai 14. Captain Mohammad Nabi remained unbeaten on 10.
For New Zealand, Lockie Ferguson took 2 wickets, while Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, and Rachin Ravindra claimed one wicket each.
Chasing 183, the Kiwis reached the target in the 18th over for the loss of 5 wickets. Tim Seifert scored a fluent 65, and Glenn Phillips added 42 runs. Mark Chapman contributed 28, Finn Allen scored 1, and Rachin Ravindra was dismissed for a duck. Daryl Mitchell made 25 not out, and captain Mitchell Santner remained unbeaten on 17 to guide New Zealand home.
From the Afghan side, Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 2 wickets, while Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Nabi claimed one wicket each.
