Afghanistan dominated a sluggish New Zealand team by 84 runs to secure the top spot in Group C at the T20 World Cup with a surprising victory at the Guyana National Stadium on Saturday AEST.

Set a challenging target of 160 for victory, the Black Caps collapsed to 75 all out in 15.

2 overs, suffering their first-ever defeat to Afghanistan in T20 Internationals.

Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the charge for Afghanistan with a top score of 80 off 56 balls, including five sixes, and formed a 103-run opening partnership with Ibrahim Zadran (44), guiding the team to a total of 6-159.

Left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who had taken five wickets in the opening match against Uganda, claimed the first three wickets of the New Zealand innings and later returned to take a fourth, sealing the win.

Captain and skilled leg-spinner Rashid Khan shared the bowling honors with a haul of 4-17, including dismissing his counterpart Kane Williamson with the first ball of his spell.

New Zealand's collapse and evident rustiness leave the 2021 finalists with a tough challenge ahead, starting against co-hosts West Indies in Trinidad next Wednesday.

'Congratulations to Afghanistan, they simply outplayed us in all facets,' Williamson said after the defeat.

Afghanistan will next face Papua New Guinea at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Friday, with the first ball scheduled for 10:30 am AEST.