CHENNAI, India, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Finn Allen and Tim Seifert posted 
a T20 World Cup record partnership of 175 as New Zealand crushed the United 
Arab Emirates by 10 wickets with almost five overs to spare in Chennai on 
Tuesday.

Chasing the UAE's 173-6, Seifert struck an unbeaten 89 and Allen scored 84 
not out as they pummelled the UAE bowling to all parts of the ground in an 
unbroken opening stand.

The opening pair crashed 78 from the first six-over power play and posted 
their century stand off only 8.3 overs.

Seifert hit one of his three huge sixes to clinch the contest after just 15.2 
overs, he also struck 12 fours. Allen had five sixes and five fours.

They beat the previous record for any wicket at a T20 World Cup -- an 
unbroken 170 by England openers Alex Hales and Jos Buttler against India in 
the semi-final of the 2022 edition at the Adelaide Oval.

"The main thing is that we're playing how we want to play, especially me and 
Finn putting pressure on the bowlers in the power play," said Seifert, who 
was named player of the match.

"Every game's going to be a little bit different, every ground's going to be 
different.

"So in a World Cup, you've just got to be able to adapt to the conditions 
you're playing in."

Seifert said he was unaware the pair had posted a new World Cup record 
partnership for any wicket.

"No, I didn't know that," he said. "I'm not much of a stats guy, but look, 
we'll take it."

The UAE's 173-6 was largely thanks to their captain Muhammad Waseem's 66 not 
out.

Choosing to bat first, Waseem and Alishan Sharafu put on 107 for the second 
wicket.

It took a sensational piece of New Zealand fielding to break the partnership.

Mark Chapman intercepted a Sharafu slog-sweep a whisker inside the boundary 
and before he stepped over the ropes relayed the ball to Daryl Mitchell to 
complete the dismissal.

The 31-year-old Waseem, who was one of only three current UAE players to play 
in their last appearance in a T20 World Cup in 2022, hit four fours and three 
sixes in facing 45 balls.