Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips paved the way for New Zealand to open their T20 World Cup campaign with a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan.

Batting first, Afghanistan had made a strong start, with Gulbadin Naib paving the way with his half-century, but even a fast start with the ball could not get them over the line.

Lockie Ferguson (2-40) took two wickets in the sixth over to dent Afghanistan's momentum, with Ibrahim Zadran (10) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (27) failing to build on their cagey start.

Naib settled the ship somewhat with his knock of 63 off 35 balls, putting on a 79-run partnership with Sediqullah Atal (29) for the third wicket.

Afghanistan steadily built their 182-6 total, with Azmatullah Omarzai run out for 14 with the final ball to deny them a little extra.

And Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in two balls in the second over to halt New Zealand early on in the chase, sending stumps flying to dismiss Finn Allen (1) and Rachin Ravindra (0).

Seifert was not to be stopped just yet, though, as he plundered 65 and with Phillips adding 42 to power them forward.

Even with Mark Chapman's exit on 155-5 in the 16th over, Daryl Mitchell (25) and Mitchell Santner (17) did enough to see them reach their target with 13 balls to spare.

Job done in Chennai.

Tim Seifert shines with 65(42)

= ICC/Getty #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/3CmNzti7RA

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 8, 2026

Data Debrief: New Zealand start on a high

New Zealand have won their last three T20 World Cup matches. The last time the Black Caps recorded a longer winning run in the tournament was a five-match span from October to November in 2021.

They were helped along the way by Seifert, who hit his 14th 50+ score in T20Is; only Martin Guptill (22), Kane Williamson (18) and Brendon McCullum (15) have recorded more for New Zealand.

It was just the Black Caps' second T20I win in 2026 so far (L4), giving them the perfect platform to build on for the rest of their Group D fixtures.