Afghanistan Stun New Zealand in T20 World Cup Thriller as Tournament Hits Chennai

Afghanistan delivered one of the early shocks of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 on Saturday, defeating New Zealand in a nail-biting Group D encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Afghan side showcased exceptional composure under pressure to claim a memorable victory over the Kiwis in front of a capacity crowd at one of cricket's most iconic venues.

Afghanistan's bowlers set the tone for the upset, restricting New Zealand to a below-par total through disciplined line and length bowling. The Afghan spin attack, featuring Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, proved particularly effective on the Chennai surface, which offered turn and variable bounce. New Zealand's batsmen struggled to find rhythm against the crafty spin duo, with regular wickets preventing any significant partnerships from developing.

Chasing a modest target, Afghanistan's batting unit showed maturity beyond their years, with key contributions throughout the order ensuring steady progress toward victory. The middle-order anchored the chase brilliantly, rotating strike effectively and punishing loose deliveries when opportunities arose. Despite a late flurry of wickets that created tension, Afghanistan held their nerve to cross the finish line with balls to spare.

The victory marks Afghanistan's continued emergence as a force in T20 cricket, building on their strong performances in recent international tournaments. Their combination of world-class spinners, aggressive batting, and athletic fielding makes them dangerous opponents for any team in the competition. New Zealand, meanwhile, faces questions about their batting approach after failing to post a competitive total in favorable batting conditions.

Elsewhere in the tournament, England maintained their perfect start with a commanding victory over debutants Nepal in Mumbai, while Sri Lanka prepared to face Ireland in the evening match at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium. The T20 World Cup 2026, being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, features 20 teams competing across eight groups in a festival of international cricket spanning five weeks.

Afghanistan's upset victory sends a strong message to the tournament favorites and demonstrates the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. With India having already secured an opening victory over the United States by 29 runs, the competition for knockout stage qualification in every group promises to be fierce. The Chennai crowd was treated to a masterclass in T20 bowling and smart batting, exactly the kind of competitive cricket that makes the World Cup such compelling viewing. Afghanistan will look to build on this momentum as they continue their campaign to reach the knockout stages for the first time in T20 World Cup history.