Seifert, Allen decimate UAE with record partnership

Tim Seifert (89*) and Finn Allen's (84*) record undefeated 175-run stand powered New Zealand to a massive 10-wicket victory against United Arab Emirates in Chennai, with 4.4 overs to spare. Chasing a total of 174, the openers smashed a hapless UAE bowling attack in what looked like an effortless stroll in the park for them.

The onslaught began in the second over as they hit Muhammad Rohid Khan for three boundaries, after scoring just three runs off left-arm spinner Haider Ali's opening over. Allen and Seifert then flexed their muscles against Junaid Siddique in a 22-run over and the UAE compounded issues for themselves with a lacklustre display on the field. A 14-run over from Dhruv Parashar followed before Seifert toyed with Rohid, smashing three fours and a six as New Zealand ended the PowerPlay at 78/0.

Seifert brought up his 50 off 23 deliveries even as Haider sent down another quiet over. Seifert survived a DRS referral for LBW as the ball was clipping leg-stump according to ball-tracking, sticking with the on-field decision of not out. Siddique didn't have any such luck as Allen began to take over the mantle of the scoring. They moved past the 100-mark in the ninth over as Allen moved to 50 as well.

Seifert finally got hold of Haider with two reverse sweeps off his last two deliveries as the latter ended with figures of 4-0-27-0. Allen smoked one over deep mid-wicket to take New Zealand past 150 in the 14th over before Seifert played a tumbling shot over backward-point to the fence. Seifert then fittingly finished the match comprehensively with a six down the ground.

Earlier after UAE opted to bat, Jacob Duffy bounced out Aryansh Sharma. But captain Muhammad Waseem (66*) and Alishan Sharafu (55) put on a 107-run stand off 77 balls to have New Zealand concerned at one stage. Sharafu took charge initially with three boundaries off Matt Henry while Waseem deposited Duffy to the stands as UAE ended the PowerPlay on 50/1.

They struggled against spin with Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner putting a lid on the scoring. Only 34 runs came in the next five overs but Sharafu got the release off Lockie Ferguson, taking 15 off him. Sharafu followed it up with a six to bring up his 50 but was dismissed right after the drinks break by Santner.

With UAE struggling against spin, Glenn Phillips picked up Harshit Kaushik in the 16th over. New Zealand threw the dice with Phillips one time too many as the offspinner conceded 27 runs in the 18th over as UAE found a new lease of life. But New Zealand closed out the innings well taking three wickets and conceding just 17 runs in the final two overs. Waseem claimed that New Zealand were 15 short off the total at the innings break and eventually, they couldn't compete with the might of New Zealand's batting.

Brief Scores:United Arab Emirates 173/6 in 20 overs (Muhammad Waseem 66*, Alishan Sharafu 55; Matt Henry 2-37, Jacob Duffy 1-16) lost to New Zealand 175/0 in 15.2 overs (Tim Seifert 89*, Finn Allen 84*) by 10 wickets