Seifert powers New Zealand to their record T20 World Cup chase

New Zealand’s Tim Seifert plays a shot against Afghanistan (Photo credits: AFP) 

Opener Tim Seifert struck a blistering 65 off 42 balls to lead New Zealand’s highest-ever run in a T20 World Cup as they beat Afghanistan by five wickets yesterday.
After Afghanistan made 182/6, New Zealand were driven by Seifert’s 42-ball knock and 42 by Glenn Phillips to achieve their target with 13 balls to spare in Chennai.
New Zealand’s previous best chase in the T20 World Cup was their 167 against England in the 2021 semi-final.
Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman had New Zealand in early trouble when he struck on successive balls in the second over of the chase to dismiss Finn Allen, for one, and Rachin Ravindra, for a duck.
The hat-trick was avoided by Phillips, who then got going with wicketkeeper Seifert in a partnership of 74 for the third wicket to thwart Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack.
Captain Rashid Khan let out a roar as he broke through to dismiss Phillips, who inside edged onto his stumps.
Leg-spinner Rashid dropped Seifert on 48 off his own bowling and the batsman reached his fifty with a six off veteran spinner Mohammad Nabi.
Seifert hit Nabi for another six and a four on successive balls before the bowler had his revenge on the next when he top-edged to be caught in the deep.
Mark Chapman fell after a 17-ball 28 but Daryl Mitchell, on 25, and skipper Mitchell Santner, on 17, saw New Zealand to 183/5 and a comfortable victory. (AFP)

Chief scores:
Afghanistan 182/6 (G. Naib 63, S. Atal 29; L. Ferguson 2/40)
New Zealand 183/5 (T. Seifert 65, G. Phillips 42, D. Mitchell 25 n.o.; M. Rahman 2/31)