Fans react as Tim Seifert and Finn Allen bulldoze through UAE to seal dominant T20 World Cup 2026 win for New Zealand
In a staggering display of modern T20 power-hitting, New Zealand sent a clear message to the rest of the cricketing world at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. During the 11th match of Group D in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the Black Caps orchestrated a clinical 10-wicket demolition of the United Arab Emirates, chasing down a competitive target with nearly five overs to spare.
UAE puts up a competitive total against New Zealand
The evening began with a sense of optimism for the UAE. After electing to bat, the Associate nation put forth a spirited performance that momentarily silenced the Chennai crowd. Led by a resilient Muhammad Waseem, who remained unbeaten on 66 off 45 balls, the UAE navigated the New Zealand pace attack with surprising composure. A crucial 100-run partnership for the second wicket between Waseem and Alishan Sharafu (55 off 47) laid a solid foundation.
Despite a late flurry of wickets—with Matt Henry claiming 2/37 and Mitchell Santner strangling the middle order with an economical 1/23—the UAE managed to post a formidable 173/6. Against most sides, a total north of 170 in Chennai offers a fighting chance. However, the “Chepauk” surface, known for its spin, played unexpectedly true, setting the stage for a Kiwi masterclass.
New Zealand storm past UAE as Tim Seifert and Finn Allen unleash batting mayhem
What followed the innings break was not a chase, but a total eclipse. New Zealand openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen transformed the second innings into a highlight reel, treating the UAE bowling attack with utter disdain. The duo utilized the Powerplay to perfection, racing to 78/0 within the first six overs—the highest of the tournament thus far.
Tim Seifert was the primary aggressor early on, reaching his half-century in just 23 deliveries. His unbeaten knock of 89 off 42 balls was a clinic in innovative stroke play, peppered with 12 boundaries and 3 towering sixes. At the other end, Finn Allen provided the brute force. Allen’s 84 off 50 balls featured five massive sixes that cleared the boundary with ease, leaving the UAE bowlers like Muhammad Rohid (0/51) and Junaid Siddique (0/47) with no answers.
The match flow was entirely one-sided. New Zealand crossed the 100-run mark in just 8.3 overs, effectively ending the contest before the second drinks break. A desperate DRS review by the UAE in the 7th over against Seifert returned an umpire’s call, symbolizing a night where nothing went the way of the underdogs.
Fans took to social media to celebrate the “New Zealand Hurricane,” noting that the 10-wicket win (with 28 balls remaining) is a massive boost to the Black Caps’ Net Run Rate. This victory firmly establishes New Zealand as the team to beat in Group D, while the UAE will look to take heart from their batting effort as they head into their next fixture.
Here’s how fans reacted:
New Zealand chased down 174 in just 15.2 overs 🤩#NZvsUAE #T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/KdtDqNn2kk
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 10, 2026
Tim Seifert and Finn Allen recorded the highest partnership to help New Zealand beat UAE by 10 wickets!🔥#NZvUAE #worldcup26 pic.twitter.com/sBk7yzfynJ
— Saad Malik (@saadimalik22) February 10, 2026
🔥Tim Seifert is in Form of His Life🔥
Tim Seifert – 89*(42)
Finn Allen – 84*(50)🚨 NEW ZEALAND CHASE DOWN 174 RUNS IN JUST 15.2 OVERS 🚨 pic.twitter.com/dW6O6olxaj
— Malik Jamshed (@Jamshai41840579) February 10, 2026
Newzealand beat UAE by 10 wickets. This is a massive victory. Finn Allen 84* and Tim Seifert 89*.#TimSeifert #Finnallen #NZvsUAE pic.twitter.com/mdYAVwhzmG
— Tamanna e Dil (@ishqsufiyana00) February 10, 2026
Kiwis on fire at Chepauk! Finn Allen & Tim Seifert smash a blistering opening stand, putting NZ firmly in control chasing UAE’s competitive total in #T20WorldCup2026. Captain Waseem’s gritty fifty gave UAE their highest WC score, but stunning fielding (that Chapman-Mitchell relay… pic.twitter.com/PnsvKv2SWN
— Devangg Shaah (@DevanggShaah24) February 10, 2026
Total Dominance from New Zealand! 🇳🇿💨
151/0 in just 13.1 overs? Finn Allen and Tim Seifert are making this 174-run chase look like a walk in the park! 😱
✅ Need: 23 runs ✅ Balls: 41 ✅ Wickets: 10#T20WC2026 #CricketNews #NZvUAE #TimSeifert #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/jK7IbdAeK4
— sports__life (@statecraft__) February 10, 2026
Finn Allen and Tim Seifert are one of the most destructive Opening Pair In the T20 World Cup🇳🇿
New Zealand in ICC Tournaments are just a completely different Team🏆🏏 #NZvsUAE #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/GmiXphZ9G4
— CricRohan (@CricguyRohan07) February 10, 2026
As a KKR fan, I watched Tim Seifert and Finn Allen flying high together with a 78-run partnership in 6 over 😎🥶 #NZvsUAE #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/iOkvwzh6FG
— Yash X (@SANDEEPMH07) February 10, 2026
Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, these two are one of the most dangerous and destructive opening duo in T20 cricket. 💪🔥
Both are in absolute beast form! 🥶
A stellar buy from the KKR team and it’s a good sign ahead of IPL 2026. 💜#FinnAllen #TimSeifert #NZvsUAE #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/MZPT1cJdf7
— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) February 10, 2026
Tim Seifert and Finn Allen are like two monsters on the field. They are destroying the UAE bowlers so badly that no one wants to bowl to them anymore, Unbelievable Striking !#T20WorldCup #NZvsUAE pic.twitter.com/e91ynmdVR1
— Neeraj (@NeerajY00859341) February 10, 2026
Also READ: Top 5 Associate Nations with most wins in T20 World Cup ft. Netherlands
