T20 World Cup 2026 [WATCH]: Tim Siefert and Finn Allen’s funny collision leads to Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s lucky escape during NZ vs AGF clash

In a tournament already filled with high-intensity drama, the T20 World Cup 2026 clash between New Zealand and Afghanistan at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium delivered one of its most bizarre moments.

During the third over of the Afghanistan innings, a chaotic miscommunication between wicketkeeper Tim Seifert and Finn Allen led to a high-profile dropped catch that left both players and the crowd in a state of disbelief. What should have been a regulation dismissal for Matt Henry turned into a viral ‘comedy of errors’ as two of New Zealand’s finest collided on the big stage.

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen’s bizarre mix-up gives Rahmanullah Gurbaz a lucky lifeline during NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup 2026 match

The incident unfolded when Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, looking to break the shackles against Henry, danced down the pitch for a wild slog. He only managed a thick top edge that sent the ball towering into the sky, seemingly hanging in the Chennai humidity forever. As the ball descended directly behind the stumps, Seifert tracked it perfectly and made a clear call to claim the catch, appearing to be in full control of the situation.

However, Finn Allen, charging in with blinkered focus from short fine-leg, failed to hear or heed the call and ran across Seifert’s path. Just as the keeper settled under the ball to complete the dismissal, Allen arrived at full tilt and bumped into him. The force of the mid-air impact knocked the ball out of Seifert’s steady gloves, sending both players sprawling onto the turf as the ball landed safely between them. In a classic display of Kiwi temperament, after the initial shock, both Allen and Seifert were seen laughing on the ground, sharing the embarrassment of a ‘mine-not-yours’ disaster that gave Gurbaz a vital early reprieve.

Here’s the video:

pic.twitter.com/HGgY2H1N3Q

— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) February 8, 2026

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T20 World Cup 2026: Seifert & Glenn Phillips power New Zealand to record chase over Afghanistan

New Zealand kicked off their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a clinical five-wicket victory over Afghanistan in Chennai. After Rashid Khan won the toss and chose to bat, Afghanistan posted a competitive 182/6, fueled by a solid half-century from Gulbadin Naib. The Kiwis’ chase started poorly with Mujeeb Ur Rahman removing both openers early, leaving them reeling at 14/2.

However, Seifert played a match-winning hand, smashing 65 off 42 balls to stabilize the innings and shift the momentum. He was well-supported by Glenn Phillips, who added a blistering 42 to keep the required rate under control against the Afghan spinners. Despite a late wicket from Rashid Khan, Daryl Mitchell and skipper Mitchell Santner remained calm to finish the job with 15 balls to spare. This win earns New Zealand two vital points in the “Group of Death” and serves as revenge for their 2024 defeat to the same side. The Black Caps now look ahead to their high-stakes clash against South Africa scheduled for February 14th.

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