Picture Credit: Twitter/@T20WorldCup

Picture Credit: Twitter/@T20WorldCup

Twitter erupts as New Zealand, one of the most consistent sides in the World Cup, has lost back-to-back wickets in their first game of the T20 World Cup 2026 against Afghanistan while chasing the target of 182 in Chennai. India and Pakistan avoided an upset on the opening day, but New Zealand is struggling on Day 2, and we might witness the first major upset of this World Cup.

New Zealand in Trouble: Twitter Reacts to Shocking Back-to-Back Wickets in NZ vs AFG match

Afghanistan set the target of 183 for New Zealand to chase in the 4th match of the T20 World Cup 2026, thanks to a 63-run inning of Gulbadin Naib. While chasing the first over went well for the Kiwis, Mujeeb ur Rahman came out to bowl the spin and dismissed Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra in back-to-back balls to put New Zealand under pressure. 

WATCH Glenn Philips dismissal 

Twitter reactions 

Hydraaa18 is confident that New Zealand is not winning the match: “New Zealand is not winning this game. They don’t even deserve to play in the T20 World Cup.”

 

Akshay Jain reminds everyone that Afghanistan has yet to lose a match after scoring 180+ runs: “Afghanistan is unbeaten after scoring 180+, and New Zealand has never chased 180+ in a T20 World Cup.

 

Mustapha wrote, “Afghanistan has put up a seriously competitive total. History backs them too; they’ve never lost a T20I defending 180+, while New Zealand has yet to chase 170+ in a T20 World Cup."

Afghanistan batted amazingly well and set the target of 183 in 20 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz started well with 27 off 22 balls, but the crucial inning was played by number 3 batter Gulbadin Naib. He smashed 63 runs off 35 balls with a strike rate of 180, including 4 sixes and 3 fours. Thanks to his innings, Afghanistan put a strong total on the board.