The New Zealand vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights will be etched in history as the night Finn Allen and Tim Seifert rewrote the record books at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. Chasing a competitive 174, the Blackcaps’ openers produced a masterclass of power-hitting, stitching together an unbeaten 175-run stand to secure a 10-wicket victory with 28 balls to spare. Earlier, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem had led from the front with a gritty 66*, guiding his side to their highest-ever T20 World Cup total. However, that effort was utterly eclipsed by the Seifert-Allen hurricane, which now stands as the highest partnership for any wicket in the history of the T20 World Cup.
Match Summary: Record-Breaking Openers Annihilate UAE
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 - Match 11 - New Zealand vs UAE
Group D • M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
New Zealand’s 10-wicket victory was a statement of pure dominance that has shifted the balance of Group D. After UAE opted to bat and posted a respectable 173/6, many expected a tactical chase on the “sticky” Chepauk surface. Instead, the New Zealand vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights showcased a boundary blitz. Tim Seifert (89* off 42) and Finn Allen (84* off 50) attacked from the first over, reaching 78/0 in the powerplay. The UAE bowlers, led by Junaid Siddique, had no answer for the variety of strokes as the Kiwis crossed the finish line in just 15.2 overs. This win not only keeps New Zealand unbeaten but provides a massive boost to their Net Run Rate.
Playing XI
New Zealand
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (WK), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (C), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.
UAE
Aryansh Sharma (WK), Muhammad Waseem (C), Alishan Sharafu, Harshit Kaushik, Mayank Kumar, Sohaib Khan, Muhammad Arfan, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Rohid.
Key Stats & Records From Today's Match:
175: The highest partnership for any wicket in T20 World Cup history.
173/6: UAE’s highest-ever total in a T20 World Cup match.
10 Wickets: This is New Zealand’s largest-ever victory margin in a World Cup in terms of wickets.
89: Tim Seifert’s highest score in a T20 World Cup.
Innings Breakdown
First Innings: Waseem's Anchor and the UAE Power-Surge
The opening half of the New Zealand vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights was surprisingly competitive. After losing Aryansh Sharma early to Jacob Duffy, captain Muhammad Waseem (66*) and Alishan Sharafu (55) put on a 107-run stand that stunned the Kiwis. UAE utilized the short boundaries effectively, with Waseem particularly strong against the short-ball ploy of Matt Henry. A late cameo from Mayank Kumar (21 off 13) helped UAE reach 173/6, a total that many thought would test the New Zealand middle order on a turning track.
The Phillips Experiment: Captain Mitchell Santner used Glenn Phillips for the 18th over of the UAE innings as a tactical experiment. It backfired, going for 27 runs as Mayank Kumar targeted the part-timer. This late surge is what pushed UAE past 170, a detail that suggests New Zealand is still testing their “sixth bowler” depth before the Super 8s.
Second Innings: The 175-Run Hurricane
The second half of the New Zealand vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights turned into a statistical massacre. Tim Seifert was the chief aggressor early on, carving through the off-side with surgical precision. Finn Allen soon joined the party, launching Junaid Siddique for three massive sixes in the 4th over. The duo reached the 100-run mark in just 51 balls, and as the dew began to set in, the UAE bowlers lost all control over their lengths. Seifert finished the game with a towering maximum to seal the record-breaking victory.
Top Performers
Tim Seifert (89 off 42 balls) - Player of the Match*
Seifert’s strike rate of 211.90 was the catalyst. His ability to manipulate the field in the powerplay (hitting 12 fours and 3 sixes) took the pressure off Allen and forced UAE into defensive field placements by the 5th over.
Finn Allen (84 off 50 balls)
While Seifert provided the spark, Allen provided the sustained heat. He targeted the straight boundaries with immense power, finishing with 5 fours and 5 sixes. This knock serves as a vital return to form for the explosive opener.
Muhammad Waseem (66 off 45 balls)
In a losing cause, the UAE skipper showed why he belongs on the big stage. His unbeaten 66 was a tactical masterpiece of anchoring an innings while picking the right moments to accelerate against world-class bowlers like Lockie Ferguson.
What is the highest opening partnership in T20 World Cup history?
The unbeaten 175-run stand between Finn Allen and Tim Seifert against UAE on February 10, 2026, is now officially the highest partnership for any wicket in the history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. They surpassed the previous record of 170 held by England’s Jos Buttler and Alex Hales set against India in 2022.
What This Result Means for Group D
New Zealand’s record-breaking 10-wicket victory has completely transformed the dynamic of Group D. By chasing 174 in just 15.2 overs, the Blackcaps have not only secured their second consecutive win but have also catapulted their Net Run Rate (NRR) to a massive +1.919. This puts them at the top of the table, ahead of South Africa on points and significantly narrowing the NRR gap that the Proteas created after their demolition of Canada.
T20 World Cup 2026 Group D Points Table - The Black Caps Claim the Throne
Group D Points Table
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