T20 World Cup: NZ Register Second Win After Crushing UAE by 10 Wickets

New Zealand continued their dominant run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, cruising to a commanding 10-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in Chennai to register their second consecutive win of the tournament.

Openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen delivered a breathtaking performance, stitching together a record-breaking partnership to chase down the target without losing a wicket. Their stand became the highest partnership for any wicket in T20 World Cup history, surpassing the previous benchmark set by England’s Jos Buttler and Alex Hales in 2022.

Earlier, the UAE posted a competitive 173 for 6 after being put in to bat. Captain Muhammad Waseem led from the front with a composed unbeaten 66, while Alishan Sharafu added a fluent 55, the pair sharing a crucial second-wicket partnership to steady the innings and give their side a strong platform.

Sharafu, who hails from Kerala, played an attacking knock before being dismissed following a sharp relay catch involving Mark Chapman and Mitchell Santner. The breakthrough briefly slowed the UAE’s momentum, though late hitting ensured they finished with their highest total in a T20 World Cup match.

However, New Zealand’s response was emphatic. Seifert, fresh from a half-century in the previous game, maintained his rich vein of form with a blistering unbeaten 89, reaching the milestone at remarkable pace. Allen complemented him perfectly, hammering 84 off 50 balls with an array of powerful strokes, including multiple sixes, as the duo dismantled the UAE bowling attack.

New Zealand reached the target with plenty of overs to spare, underlining their batting depth and intent. The clinical win strengthens their position in the group stage and signals strong early momentum in the tournament.

The Black Caps will next face South Africa in Ahmedabad, while the UAE will look to regroup when they take on Canada in Delhi in their upcoming fixture.

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