Advertisement
Advertisement
CHENNAI: Fin Allen and Tim Siefert’s imperious knocks powered New Zealand to a commanding 10-wicket win over the depleted UAE bowling attack in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday.
The BlackCaps chased down 175 in only 15.2 overs, without breaking a sweat, thanks to a record-breaking opening stand between Fin Allen and Tim Siefert.
The pair provided New Zealand a rollicking start, ending the PowerPlay on 78. Both batters batted aggressively and capitalized on the fielding restrictions.
Despite the fielding restrictions being lifted, the pair continued to dominate with Siefert reaching his half-century on 23 balls.
Allen also followed him in the next two overs, depositing two sixes and fours to reach the milestone.
The charge continued on as UAE bowlers looked clueless, as New Zealand easily accumulated more than 10 runs per over.
Eventually, Siefert finished off the match in style with a six over long-off, marking New Zealand’s second win.
Earlier, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) made 173-6 against New Zealand in their opening T20 World Cup match in Chennai, largely thanks to their skipper Muhammad Waseem’s unbeaten 66 from 45 balls.
The UAE missed out on the last T20 World Cup in 2024 and arrived in India with an inexperienced squad containing only three players from their 2022 campaign.
They only just made it through Asian qualifying behind Nepal and Oman and lost to Italy, the lowest-ranked side in the tournament, in a warm-up match.
Choosing to bat first, UAE shrugged off losing an early wicket as Waseem and Alishan Sharafu put on 107 for the second wicket.
It took a sensational piece of New Zealand fielding to break the partnership.
Mark Chapman intercepted a Sharafu slog-sweep a whisker inside the boundary and, before he stepped over the ropes, relayed the ball to Daryl Mitchell to complete the dismissal.
That left the UAE 119-2 after 14.2 overs, and though they lost another wicket soon after, Waseem powered on.
The 31-year-old, who was one of those who featured at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, hit four fours and three sixes in facing 45 balls.
READ: Major blow for Sri Lanka as Hasaranga ruled out of T20 World Cup
