Watch: Rahmanullah Gurbaz scoops Jacob Duffy for 6 in NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup 2026 clash

When the full schedule of the T20 World Cup 2026 came out, the eyes were on the game between New Zealand and Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where the latter would be more dominant on the slow-spinning surface, and they would also have the confidence in their end due to beating the Kiwis during the last World Cup.

Afghanistan’s captain, Rashid Khan, won the toss and decided to bat first on a surface which he reckoned would be helpful for their three spinners later in the afternoon under the sun. The Kiwi captain, Mitchell Santner, wasn’t sure of his decision either and got a blessing in disguise with three pacers in the eleven.

See Also: Watch: “Aap ne earn…”- Suryakumar Yadav teases Arshdeep Singh post IND vs USA T20 World Cup 2026 match

Both the Afghanistan openers had a slow start, with Gurbaz playing one of the eye-catching shots around the park. The right-handed batter made room and went into the line of the delivery against Jacob Duffy and used the bowler’s pace to scoop in behind the wicket as the ball sailed over long leg for a massive six.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz scoops six during T20 World Cup 2026 

On the very next delivery, Gurbaz picked up the length delivery and swiveled across before hammering the pull through the wide mid-wicket for a strong boundary. He creamed Lockie Foerguson for a boundary as he opened up the off-side and hammered the drive through the extra-cover.

Watch the video here: 

However, Ferguson had the last laugh on the very next delivery with the wicket of Gurbaz on 27 runs in 22 balls at a strike rate of 122.73, thanks to two boundaries and one four. The ball gripped on the surface and went through the defense of the right-handed batter to break the stumps as Ferguson started the over with the wicket of Ibrahim Zadran.

Matt Henry was excellent for his three overs inside the powerplay as he ended up with 0/18. That increased the pressure on the Afghanistan batters. Gulbadin Naib and Sediqullah Atal started to rescue the innings from thereon, as they aimed for a 160+ run score.  

Brief Scores: Afghanistan 115/2 (Gulbadin Naib 43, Lockie Ferguson 2/17) vs New Zealand