New Zealand stormed to a commanding 10-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their second ICC T20 World Cup 2026 match at Chepauk on Tuesday.
The Blackcaps chased UAE’s total of 174 without losing a wicket, completing the target in 15.2 overs thanks to a flawless opening partnership between Tim Seifert and Finn Allen.
Seifert and Allen batted with precision and aggression, reaching the 50-run mark effortlessly as boundaries flowed rapidly, establishing dominance and setting a perfect platform for a comfortable chase.
Tim Seifert led the charge with an unbeaten 89 from 42 balls, striking 12 fours and three sixes, claiming his 15th T20I half-century in a masterful innings.
Finn Allen complemented Seifert’s effort with 84 runs off 50 deliveries, including five boundaries and five sixes, achieving his seventh T20I fifty and taking the partnership to 119 runs in 10 overs.
UAE began strongly but lost Aryansh Sharma early, dismissed for eight by Jacob Duffy, putting the side under pressure before Waseem and Alishan stabilized the innings with a 50-run second-wicket stand.
Alishan impressed with a well-timed 55 off 47 balls, including five fours and two sixes, guiding UAE to a century partnership that helped them reach 119-1 after 14 overs.
Mitchell Santner broke the partnership by dismissing Alishan, followed immediately by Glenn Phillips removing Harshit Kaushik, reducing UAE to 124-3 and slowing their momentum before the final overs.
Waseem anchored the innings with a composed 66 off 45 balls, striking four fours and three sixes, while Mayank Kumar added 21 off 13 deliveries to take UAE past 150.
Lockie Ferguson dismissed Kumar in the 19th over, leaving UAE at 164-4 before the final over added nine runs and two wickets, finalizing their total at 173.
For New Zealand, Matt Henry was the most expensive bowler, conceding 37 runs in four overs but claiming two wickets, while Duffy, Ferguson, Santner, and Phillips each took one wicket.
