NZ vs AFG | Twitter reacts as Allen and Seifert laugh in shared embarrassment after collision leads to drop

Today at 11:49 AM

Pressure rarely gets any higher than a World Cup opener in front of an Indian crowd against the underdogs that had knocked you out in the previous edition. Yet, New Zealand's Finn Allen and Tim Seifert appeared unfettered by it, the former laughing away a drop after the duo collided in Chennai.

Afghanistan got off to a sluggish start on a relaid Chennai deck in their 2026 T20 World Cup opener against New Zealand on Saturday, after winning the toss and choosing to bat first. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran struggled to time the ball early on, the former's lack of runs clearly not for a lack of intent, as Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy peppered the hard lengths with unnerring accuracy. The pressure was piling and something had to give but when it did, the Kiwis simply failed to grasp the opportunity with both hands.

Gurbaz was up against Henry in the third over and was greeted with a bouncer after returning to strike on the fourth delivery. However, when the Kiwi went for another one to follow-up, Gurbaz was more than ready for it as he charged down the track and attempted to heave the Kookaburra towards the leg side. Unfortunately for the Afghan, there was too much bounce for his plan to work as the ball took the top edge of the bat and flew miles into the air behind the stumps. Wicket-keeper Tim Seifert and his opening partner Finn Allen, partnered at short-fine leg, hared after the ball that seemed to have suspended itself in the sky before eventually beginning a long descent. While the duo did well to get to the ball in time, Seifert made a call to go for the catch but slowed down in his tracks to avoud over-running the ball which seemed to confuse Allen as he tried to grasp at the ball too. An inevitable collission followed as the two ended up prone on their stomachs with the ball in neither's hand, having landed safely after their tackle. Allen and Seifert immediately looked at each other, the former failing to contain a mischevious and slightly embarrassed grin, while Gurbaz walked away scot free.

Twitterati was thoroughly enthralled.

Dropped!

pic.twitter.com/P6ZSeO70lo
— Alexandra Rodrigues (@R37389Alexandra) February 8, 2026

Let's see!

Nz drop catch of gurbaz we saw last year the same mistake they did today#AFGvNZ
— Patil Amol (@PatilAm33258201) February 8, 2026

Yes

That catch Seifert was meant to take this. Why you did this Allen 😭😭
— Akshith Jha (@AkshithJha88423) February 8, 2026

100%

Seifert would have taken that catch comfortably... Unnecessary collision by Allen
— Abi (@Abi_sirr) February 8, 2026

Collided

Finn Allen Tim Seifert Collided 😭😭😭

Glad they are safe
— MESSI MB (@3166WR) February 8, 2026

LoL

Conway doing black magic on Allen and Seifert,

as a result Allen's shoulder already in danger and now both Allen and Seifert were about to collide......!
— AK21 (@WorldofAK2108) February 8, 2026

True