Once Afghanistan posted a score of over 180 runs on the board in their first innings against New Zealand during the T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the pressure was on the Kiwis to provide a good start to their middle order, who would be able counter the opposition’s spin threat. 

But Mujeeb Ur Rahman had other plans as the Kiwis were rocked back against the off-spinner, who used all his abilities against both the right-handed and left-handed batters of the line-up. On the third delivery of the second over, Mujeeb got the massive wicket of Finn Allen for one run in two.

See Also: Watch: Rashid Khan gives aggressive send-off to Glenn Phillips in NZ vs AFG T20 WC 2026

Allen saw the ball being pitched into the middle of the surface as he went on his back foot and looked to pull the off-spinner for a big shot, but the ball skidded through to the right-handed batter and cracked onto the stumps to send the right-handed batter back in the pavilion. It was an early success for the Afghanistan side.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman picks two successive wickets in T20 WC 2026 

Mujeeb, on the very next delivery, sent back Rachin Ravindra, who played the wrong line of the ball. It was a seam-up delivery from around the wicket as it swung and went straight with the line to the southpaw, as Ravindra was pushed, and once he played the wrong line, the ball went on to break the stumps for his golden duck.

Watch the video here: 

Two in two and New Zealand are rattled! 💥

A beauty from @Mujeeb_R88 beats the defence and cleans up Rachin for a golden duck - stumps hit, celebrations lit! 🙌🕺

Afghanistan dent the chase in style. 💪

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | #NZvAFG | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/yo60Xej4AW pic.twitter.com/IpV2ievTyI

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 8, 2026

Earlier in the game, Afghanistan posted a strong score of 182 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs as their number three batter, Gulbadin Naib, cracked a fine knock of 63 runs in 35 balls with the help of three boundaries and four sixes at a strike rate of 180, while they got support from the rest of the unit.

After two successive wickets, New Zealand settled thanks to the fifty-run stand for the third wicket. Glenn Phillips played a sensational knock of 42 runs in 25 balls with the help of seven boundaries and one six at 168.

Brief Scores: Afganistan 182/6 (Gulbadin Naib 63, Lockie Ferguson 2/40) vs New Zealand 153/4  (Tim Seifert 65, Mujeeb 2/31)