New Zealand rout UAE for second T20 World Cup win

Wednesday, 11 February 2026 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen put on a record-breaking opening partnership as New Zealand made it two wins from two matches at the T20 World Cup with a 10-wicket defeat of the United Arab Emirates.

They guided New Zealand to a flawless victory with the highest partnership for any wicket in T20 World Cup history, breaking the previous mark of 170 held by England’s Jos Buttler and Alex Hales in a 10-wicket win over India in the 2022 semi-final.

Batting first in Chennai, half-centuries from captain Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu took the UAE to 173-6, a total they would have thought gave them a fighting chance against the 2021 finalists.

But any hope of a UAE challenge evaporated quickly as New Zealand openers Seifert and Allen produced a ruthless exhibition of hitting to help their side reach the target with 28 balls to spare.

New Zealand will next face South Africa in Ahmedabad on Saturday while the UAE meet Canada in Delhi on Friday.