Kiwis post biggest win smashing UAE

Finn Allen and Tim Seifert complement each other during their devastating stay at the crease

New Zealand put up a smashing display posting the biggest win of the tournament so far as they hammered the United Arab Emirates by 10 wickets chasing a 174 target in their Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup match in Chennai, India yesterday.

Openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen hit the target with almost five overs to spare without parting company which they did only after getting back to the dressing room.

Both batters made blistering knocks as Seifert smashed 89 in 42 balls with 12 fours and five sixes while Allen made merry with five sixes to add to five fours while making 84 in 50 balls.

The United Arab Emirates had earlier put up a bold show as they posted a challenging total of 173 for 6 after winning the toss and deciding to bat first.

New Zealand gabbed the first UAE wicket with just 12 runs on the board but could not do much as the second wicket pair of Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu put on 107 runs to consolidate the innings and ensure in making a challenging total.

Waseem was the most aggressive of the batters as he made an unbeaten 66 in just 45 balls with four fours and three big sixes to keep the Kiwi bowlers at bay during his stay.

Sharafu made 55 with five fours and two sixes.

New Zealand captain and spinner Mitchell Santner was the only bowler to earn some respect from the UAE batters as he conceded just 23 runs from his four overs and accounted for the important wicket of Sharafu to break the stand.

Scores:
United Arab Emirates 173 for 6 in 20 overs (Muhammad Waseem 66 not out, Alishan Sharafu 55, Mayank Kumar 21, Matt Henry 2 for 37)

New Zealand 175 for 0 in 15.2 overs (Tim Seifert 89 not out, Finn Allen 84 not out)