How Mohammed Siraj’s February plans changed after a dream call-up to the T20 World Cup
That stumble saw a brief spell of brilliance from Mujeeb ur Rahman, who removed Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra in consecutive deliveries in the second over, leaving New Zealand reeling at 14 for two. However, Seifert found the perfect ally in Glenn Phillips and the duo purposely rebuilt. Their 74 runs for the third wicket, off just 47 balls, decisively swung the momentum in New Zealand’s favour. Seifert brought up his half-century from 39 balls with a towering six off Mohammad Nabi, and as the innings progressed the pitch offered less help to the spinners. Phillips attacked Rashid Khan and sent him for a four and a six as New Zealand went ahead. Afghanistan managed a late blow, with Nabi dismissing Seifert and Rashid, who fell for Phillips. However, Seifert took full advantage of the reprieve on 48 when Rashid dropped a return catch. By the time both batsmen departed, the job was almost done and Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner calmly polished off the remaining 28 runs. Earlier, Afghanistan posted 182 for six, a total that looked slightly below par on a surface with some slowness. Veteran Gulbadin Naib top-scored with a smooth 63 off 35 balls, while Sediqullah Atal contributed 29 in a third-wicket 79 off 51 deliveries. Despite the partnership, Afghanistan’s innings lacked explosive acceleration. Their progress was steady rather than spectacular, reaching 44 for two in the Power Play, 77 for two at half-time and 130 for three after 15 overs. The last five overs yielded 52 runs but they would be hoping for more. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was looking good before Lockie Ferguson’s slower ball shattered his stumps in the sixth over. In the same situation, Ferguson also eliminated Ibrahim Zadran, using his legscissors. Naib reached his fifty in just 29 balls and added momentum by hitting two sixes and a four off Jacob Duffy. Atal supported well but was dismissed by Duffy, a moment that allowed Naib to combine with Darwish Rasooli to make a blistering 33 as Afghanistan crossed the 150 mark. However, Naib’s dismissal to Rachin Ravindra in the 18th over halted the late charge. Azmatullah Omarzai hit a couple of sixes at the end to take Afghanistan past 180, but it was not enough against a composed New Zealand chase.