What a fightback! In the toughest group of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Afghanistan found their hero in Gulbadin Naib. During today’s Afghanistan vs New Zealand match at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Naib stepped up when his team was in deep trouble and delivered a match-changing knock that changed everything.
Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first. Things looked shaky early. Lockie Ferguson struck twice quickly, leaving Afghanistan at 44/2. That’s when Naib walked in – promoted up the order – and took complete control.
Gulbadin Naib’s Brilliant Knock in Afghanistan vs New Zealand Match
Naib played pure controlled power. He smashed his way to a half-century in just 29 balls and finished with 63 runs off 35 deliveries. His innings included 5 fours and 4 massive sixes. One over against James Neesham went for 18 runs – the Kiwi bowlers had no answer.
He built a crucial 79-run stand with Sediqullah Atal (29 off 24). Thanks to Naib’s strike rate of 180.00, Afghanistan posted a strong 182/6 in 20 overs. That total looks very defendable on this Chennai pitch.
Match Snapshot – Afghanistan vs New Zealand
| Team | Score | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 182/6 (20 overs) | Gulbadin Naib: 63 (35), Sediqullah Atal: 29 (24) |
| New Zealand | In Progress | Lockie Ferguson: 2/40(4), Mat Henry: 1/27 (4) |
Why Gulbadin Naib Is a True Crisis Man
Naib has grown into one of Afghanistan’s most reliable middle-order finishers. After today’s knock in the Afghanistan vs New Zealand match, he crossed 1,000 T20I runs. Here’s a quick look at his updated career numbers:
- Matches: 81
- Runs: 1056
- Highest Score: 63 (today vs New Zealand)
- Strike Rate: ~124.50
- 50s: 4
- Wickets: 35
- Best Bowling: 4/20 (vs Australia, T20 WC 2024)
- Economy: 7.96
Also Read: iPhone 17 Price Slashed to ₹47,742 in Croma Valentine’s Day Sale – Massive Deal Alert
Fun fact: Naib is still the only player in T20 World Cup history to take 4 wickets in an innings as the 8th bowling option (done against Australia in 2024).
This Afghanistan vs New Zealand match is far from over, but Naib’s innings has given his team real belief. Can their bowlers defend 182? Or will New Zealand chase it down?
What do you think – was Naib’s knock the turning point? Share your views below!
Team Cricket Duniya is a dedicated group of sports and entertainment writers specializing in cricket news, match previews, reviews, and in-depth analysis. With strong domain expertise and a passion for the game, the team delivers accurate, timely, and well-researched content covering international cricket, domestic tournaments, and trending sports stories. Alongside cricket, the team also covers key developments in sports entertainment, ensuring readers receive reliable insights and engaging coverage from the world of sports and entertainment.
