A blunder on the field helped Rahmanullah Gurbaz survive when he missed a simple catch following a nasty collision between Finn Allen and Tim Seifert during the Group D T20 World Cup 2026 match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Matt Henry creates a chance with a poor shot from Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the T20 World Cup 2026 match
What should have been an easy wicket turned out to be a lucky lifeline for the Afghanistan opener. This scary but costly moment came in the third over of Afghanistan’s innings off the bowling of Matt Henry. Rahmanullah Gurbaz tried to play a very risky big shot.
He walked down the pitch and swung his bat wildly without control. The shot went completely wrong and the ball took the thick top edge and flew high into the air. The ball went behind the wicketkeeper and started coming down slowly.
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Seeing this, three New Zealand fielders ran towards the ball. Even wicketkeeper Tim Seifert called for the catch and he was in perfect position to take it. Adding to the drama, a slip fielder also ran back but stopped after seeing that Seifert was ready to take the catch.
Confusion between Finn Allen and Tim Seifert cost New Zealand
Just when the catch seemed safe, Finn Allen came running fast from short fine leg. Allen did not realize that wicketkeeper Seifert had already called for the ball. At the last moment Allan collided with Seifert and both players lost their balance. Seifert dropped the catch due to the collision.
The Black Caps were left stunned as poor communication and confusion between the players handed Gurbaz a huge lifeline in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 match in Chennai.
– Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) 8 February 2026
to be continued…