11/2/2026, 11:37:41 am

New Zealand Crush UAE with Record Opening Stand in One-Sided Win

New Zealand produced a dominant batting performance to defeat the United Arab Emirates in the 11th Match, Group D of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, completing a clinical chase without losing a wicket.

UAE Innings

Batting first, UAE posted a competitive 173/6 in 20 overs, powered by strong middle-order contributions that helped the side reach a challenging total. Despite the good start, the total proved slightly below par on a batting-friendly surface.


New Zealand Chase

Chasing 174, New Zealand openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert dominated from the beginning, putting together an unbeaten 175-run opening partnership. Both batters scored 83 runs each, guiding the team to 175/0 in 15.2 overs and sealing a 10-wicket victory with plenty of overs to spare.

Seifert was named Player of the Match for his explosive innings and overall impact during the chase.


Key Turning Points

  • UAE’s total of 173, though competitive, was not enough against a strong batting lineup.
  • Allen and Seifert’s record unbeaten opening stand removed any early pressure.
  • Rapid scoring in the powerplay ensured the required run rate stayed under control.
  • New Zealand completed the chase comfortably without losing a wicket.

Match Summary

New Zealand’s aggressive top-order batting delivered a commanding 10-wicket victory, giving the team a strong net run rate boost and early momentum in Group D of the T20 World Cup 2026.