T20 World Cup 2026: Afghanistan Post 182 vs New Zealand as Gulbadin Naib Smashes 63

The fourth match of the T20 World Cup 2026 is being played today, i.e., on Sunday, February 8. This match is between New Zealand and Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. After winning the toss and deciding to bat first, Afghanistan has scored 182 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their 20 overs. Gulbadin Naib has scored a blistering 63 runs off just 35 balls for Afghanistan.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Afghanistan started well with Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The duo scored 35 runs for the first wicket. But, Lockie Ferguson struck his first blow for the Afghan team, dismissing Ibrahim Zadran for 10 runs before the end of the powerplay. Ferguson then clean bowled Gurbaz (27) with the last ball of the same over.

After losing two wickets in the powerplay, Sediqullah and Gulbadin performed brilliantly, putting on 79 runs for the third wicket and taking the score past 100. Gulbadin completed his half-century off 29 balls. However, Sediqullah returned to the pavilion shortly thereafter, scoring 29 runs off 24 balls. Gulbadin continued his aggressive batting even after this, but he lost his wicket to Rachin's ball. Gulbadin played an innings of 63 runs in 35 balls with the help of three fours and four sixes.

In the end, for Afghanistan, Darwish Rasooli scored 20 runs in 13 balls, Azmatullah Umarzai scored 14 runs in 7 balls and Mohammad Nabi scored an unbeaten 10 runs, taking the score to 182. For New Zealand, Lockie Ferguson took two wickets, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy and Rachin Ravindra took one wicket each.