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New Zealand Advances to T20 World Cup Super Eight

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, February 17th 2026 at 6:07 GMT by The Straits Times
      Locales: SRI LANKA, NEW ZEALAND

Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago - February 17th, 2026 - New Zealand has officially advanced to the Super Eight stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup, securing their spot despite a spirited performance from Nepal. While the Kiwis ultimately claimed victory, the match was far from a one-sided affair, largely thanks to a blistering century from Nepal's Kushal Bhurtel, who demonstrated exceptional power and technique against the short ball.

The contest, played today at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, highlighted the growing competitiveness of associate nations in global T20 competitions. New Zealand, traditionally a strong T20 team, found themselves tested by a determined Nepal side, particularly by Bhurtel's aggressive batting. This win marks a significant step for New Zealand's campaign, but the match served as a stark reminder that no opponent can be taken lightly in this increasingly competitive tournament.

Nepal's innings began shakily, losing opener Aasif Sheikh early in the first over. However, the partnership between Bhurtel and Rohit Paudel provided stability and began to build momentum. While Paudel's contribution was crucial in providing support, it was Bhurtel who truly took control of the innings. After a steady start, he unleashed a barrage of boundaries, expertly dispatching both pace and spin. The right-handed batsman's innings was characterized by an astonishing 15 sixes and four fours, culminating in a magnificent 106 runs off just 69 balls. Bhurtel's ability to consistently clear the boundary, even when facing challenging lines and lengths, was the defining feature of Nepal's innings.

By the time Lockie Ferguson finally dismissed Bhurtel, Nepal had reached a competitive total of 138 for three wickets. While this total wouldn't necessarily have been enough to defend against stronger teams in the past, the pitch conditions and Nepal's improved bowling attack suggested a potential challenge for New Zealand.

New Zealand's reply started explosively, with openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert adopting an aggressive approach. Allen was particularly destructive, racing to 33 off a mere 13 balls before being bowled by Sagar Lamichhane. The early onslaught put immense pressure on Nepal's bowlers and established a rapid scoring rate. However, Allen's dismissal triggered a brief period of uncertainty for the Kiwis.

Seifert soon followed, also falling victim to Lamichhane, and the usually reliable Kane Williamson's innings was abruptly cut short by a sharp direct hit from Rohit Kunal. Suddenly, New Zealand found themselves in a precarious position, needing to rebuild their innings. This mini-collapse highlighted Nepal's improving fielding and their ability to capitalize on pressure moments.

Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips stepped up to steady the ship, adding a crucial partnership that brought New Zealand back on track. Mitchell contributed a solid 31 runs, but it was Phillips who ultimately sealed the victory with a towering six over long on. Phillips' finishing prowess has become a hallmark of New Zealand's T20 success, and this match was no exception.

New Zealand's victory was built on a strong all-round performance. The bowling attack, led by Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner, and Lockie Ferguson, effectively restricted Nepal's scoring opportunities. Boult's early wickets were key in setting the tone, while Santner's spin proved difficult for the Nepali batsmen to navigate. Ferguson's late breakthrough, dismissing Bhurtel, was a vital moment in the match.

However, the real story of the match might be Nepal's continued progress on the international stage. Bhurtel's century not only showcased his individual talent but also signaled a growing confidence and competitiveness within the Nepali team. The team's performance, even in defeat, demonstrates their potential to become a regular contender in major tournaments. Experts are already predicting that Nepal, with continued investment in its cricket infrastructure, could become a force to be reckoned with in years to come.

New Zealand now turns its attention to the Super Eight stage, while Nepal will aim to build on this performance in their remaining matches. Today's game proved that in T20 cricket, anything is possible, and every team has the potential to surprise.