175/0 (15.2)
CR : 11.41
173/6 (20.0)
CR : 8.65
New Zealand won by 10 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Tim Seifert
89(42)
Highest Partnerships for Any Wicket for New Zealand in T20Is:
184 – Devon Conway & Glenn Phillips vs West Indies, Mount Maunganui, 2020 (3rd Wicket)
175* – Finn Allen & Tim Seifert vs UAE, Chennai, 2026, Today* (1st Wicket)
171* – Martin Guptill & Kane Williamson vs Pakistan, Hamilton, 2016 (1st Wicket)
184 – Devon Conway & Glenn Phillips vs West Indies, Mount Maunganui, 2020 (3rd Wicket)
175* – Finn Allen & Tim Seifert vs UAE, Chennai, 2026, Today* (1st Wicket)
171* – Martin Guptill & Kane Williamson vs Pakistan, Hamilton, 2016 (1st Wicket)
Most 6s for New Zealand in T20Is:
173 - Martin Guptill
107 - Colin Munro
101 - Glenn Phillips
100 - Tim Seifert*
100 - Finn Allen*
173 - Martin Guptill
107 - Colin Munro
101 - Glenn Phillips
100 - Tim Seifert*
100 - Finn Allen*
Player of the Match: Tim Seifert
Tim Seifert (Player of the Match): (On the strong start and approach at the top) “It was a great start. The main thing for us is playing the way we want to play - putting pressure on the bowlers in the powerplay. At the same time, when things get a bit tough, it’s about absorbing that pressure and picking the right moments to attack.
(On his batting philosophy) For me, it’s all about adapting. Every game is different, every ground is different, and in a World Cup, you’ve got to adjust quickly to the conditions in front of you.
(On the conditions today) The conditions have been pretty good overall. Today, the pitch held up just a little bit early on, but once you get through that phase, it’s a really nice wicket. Once you’re in, you can make things happen.
(On the opening partnership) That’s T20 cricket. You’re not always going to get going every day, but the most important thing is sticking to how we want to play as a team. Some days it comes off more than others, and today I thought we batted really well.
(On setting a T20 World Cup record opening stand) No, I didn’t know that. I’m not really a stats guy, but we’ll definitely take it.”
(On his batting philosophy) For me, it’s all about adapting. Every game is different, every ground is different, and in a World Cup, you’ve got to adjust quickly to the conditions in front of you.
(On the conditions today) The conditions have been pretty good overall. Today, the pitch held up just a little bit early on, but once you get through that phase, it’s a really nice wicket. Once you’re in, you can make things happen.
(On the opening partnership) That’s T20 cricket. You’re not always going to get going every day, but the most important thing is sticking to how we want to play as a team. Some days it comes off more than others, and today I thought we batted really well.
(On setting a T20 World Cup record opening stand) No, I didn’t know that. I’m not really a stats guy, but we’ll definitely take it.”
Most Player of the Match Award for New Zealand in T20Is:
10 - Martin Guptill
8 - Glenn Phillips
7 - Brendon McCullum, Colin Munro, Tim Seifert*
6 - Finn Allen
10 - Martin Guptill
8 - Glenn Phillips
7 - Brendon McCullum, Colin Munro, Tim Seifert*
6 - Finn Allen
10-Wicket Wins in T20 WCs:
Australia vs Sri Lanka, Cape Town, 2007
South Africa vs Zimbabwe, Hambantota, 2012
Oman vs Papua New Guinea, Al Amerat, 2021
Pakistan vs India, Dubai (DICS), 2021
England vs India, Adelaide, 2022
England vs USA, Bridgetown, 2024
New Zealand vs UAE, Chennai, 2026 (TODAY)*
Australia vs Sri Lanka, Cape Town, 2007
South Africa vs Zimbabwe, Hambantota, 2012
Oman vs Papua New Guinea, Al Amerat, 2021
Pakistan vs India, Dubai (DICS), 2021
England vs India, Adelaide, 2022
England vs USA, Bridgetown, 2024
New Zealand vs UAE, Chennai, 2026 (TODAY)*
Biggest Win in T20 WCs (By Ball Remaining) (170+ Target):
37 by Netherlands vs Ireland, Sylhet, 2014
28 by New Zealand vs UAE, Chennai, 2026, Today*
25 by West Indies vs Australia, The Oval, 2009
37 by Netherlands vs Ireland, Sylhet, 2014
28 by New Zealand vs UAE, Chennai, 2026, Today*
25 by West Indies vs Australia, The Oval, 2009
Muhammad Waseem (UAE Captain): "(Short with the bat) Yeah as I told you earlier. We were short 15-20 runs. We need to step up as a bowling unit.
(On the execution with the ball) Surface was very good. We need to be smarter with our execution with the ball. Which balls need to be bowled to which batter and when makes a lot of difference.
(Thoughts on the Canada game) We will be looking forward to that Canada game coming up. We need to put this loss behind us and look forward.
(Thoughts on Alishan Sharafu) Alishan is a very talented player. I spoke about him in the conference and I said the same about him. Very talented."
(On the execution with the ball) Surface was very good. We need to be smarter with our execution with the ball. Which balls need to be bowled to which batter and when makes a lot of difference.
(Thoughts on the Canada game) We will be looking forward to that Canada game coming up. We need to put this loss behind us and look forward.
(Thoughts on Alishan Sharafu) Alishan is a very talented player. I spoke about him in the conference and I said the same about him. Very talented."
Mitchell Santner (New Zealand Captain): (On the UAE batting performance) Credit to the UAE - they batted pretty well. They adjusted to the conditions quickly and put up a competitive score. To be honest, it was a fairly flat wicket.
(On the pitch and bowling effort) Yes, I did mention at the toss that we might have looked to bat first. Once we understood the conditions, it was clear that the wicket was better than the one we played on the other day. The opposition played some good shots and used the pace well. Once we started bowling a bit fuller and mixing our pace, things improved. I thought the seamers were outstanding at the death.
(On tactical bowling decisions) With a bigger side of the ground in play, it felt like the right option at the time. Rachin bowled extremely well as well - there was a little bit there for him. The plan was to use the bigger boundary smartly, especially since one side was quite short.
(On batting strategy and targeting boundaries) It was the same idea with the bat - target the short side when it’s on, but also be happy running hard to the longer boundary. That balance was important.
(On the opening partnership) It’s always nice to watch when the top order bats like that. They struck the ball really well but also chose their options smartly - hitting straight, taking on the short side when available, and rotating strike to the big side. When they get going together, it makes things very comfortable for us.
(On the upcoming match in Ahmedabad) Ahmedabad looks like it’ll be a good wicket. We know how strong South Africa are, so it’s a massive game for us. Picking up points there would be huge, and we’re really looking forward to it.”
(On the pitch and bowling effort) Yes, I did mention at the toss that we might have looked to bat first. Once we understood the conditions, it was clear that the wicket was better than the one we played on the other day. The opposition played some good shots and used the pace well. Once we started bowling a bit fuller and mixing our pace, things improved. I thought the seamers were outstanding at the death.
(On tactical bowling decisions) With a bigger side of the ground in play, it felt like the right option at the time. Rachin bowled extremely well as well - there was a little bit there for him. The plan was to use the bigger boundary smartly, especially since one side was quite short.
(On batting strategy and targeting boundaries) It was the same idea with the bat - target the short side when it’s on, but also be happy running hard to the longer boundary. That balance was important.
(On the opening partnership) It’s always nice to watch when the top order bats like that. They struck the ball really well but also chose their options smartly - hitting straight, taking on the short side when available, and rotating strike to the big side. When they get going together, it makes things very comfortable for us.
(On the upcoming match in Ahmedabad) Ahmedabad looks like it’ll be a good wicket. We know how strong South Africa are, so it’s a massive game for us. Picking up points there would be huge, and we’re really looking forward to it.”
Dominance established. Target dismantled. Class shown. New Zealand executed the perfect chase - explosive opening, relentless intent, zero mistakes. The UAE fought hard with the bat but lacked the defensive teeth to stop the surge. Tim Seifert and Finn Allen turned a contest into a masterclass. The Black Caps march on with their clinical efficiency on full display.
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentators Ajay Pal Singh, Manan Mehta, scorer Raju Khariya, and statistician Aman. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentators Ajay Pal Singh, Manan Mehta, scorer Raju Khariya, and statistician Aman. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!