Finn Allen and Tim Seifert’s nasty collision results in dropped catch, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets lifeline

A massive error on the field helped Rahmanullah Gurbaz survive when a simple catch was dropped after 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 clash

It should have been an easy wicket that turned into a lucky lifeline for the Afghanistan opener. The scary yet costly moment unfolded in the third over of Afghanistan’s innings off Matt Henry’s bowling. Rahmanullah Gurbaz tried to play a very risky big shot.

He walked down the pitch and swung his bat hard without control. The shot went completely wrong, and the ball took a thick top edge and flew high into the air. The ball went behind the wicketkeeper and started coming down slowly.

Watching this, three New Zealand fielders ran towards the ball. Even the wicketkeeper, Tim Seifert, called loudly for the catch and was in the 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 costs New Zealand

Just when the catch looked safe, Finn Allen came running fast from short fine leg. Allen did not realise that the wicketkeeper, Seifert, had already called for the ball. Allen crashed into Seifert at the last moment, and both players lost balance. Because of the collision, Seifert dropped the catch.

The Black Caps left shocked, as the poor communication and confusion between the players handed a big lifeline to Gurbaz in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 match in Chennai.