Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz, right, leaves after getting bowled out by New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Afghanistan and New Zealand in Chennai, on February 8, 2026. | Photo Credit: AP Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan won the toss and opted to bat against New Zealand in their T20 World Cup opener in Chennai on Sunday (February 8, 2026). Afghanistan had defeated New Zealand during their last meeting in a World Cup game two years ago. Teams New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (w), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy. Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi. Published – February 08, 2026 12:08 pm IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation Why sound engineering fundamentals remain irreplaceable in the AI age Ukraine businesses struggle to cope as Russian attacks bring power cuts, uncertainty