T20 World Cup: New Zealand chase down UAE’s 173 without loss to win by 10 wickets at Chepauk

New Zealand produced a dominant performance against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to secure a comprehensive 10-wicket win in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group D fixture at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on February 10. The Black Caps chased down a challenging target with ease, completing the victory inside 14 overs and keeping their campaign momentum strong.

Batting first, UAE posted their highest-ever T20 World Cup total, finishing at 173/6 in their full 20 overs — a landmark achievement for the side in the tournament. Skipper Muhammad Waseem top-scored with 66 off 45 balls, and Alishan Sharafu contributed 55, combining for a key partnership that powered the Desert Eagles to a competitive score. In reply, New Zealand’s openers delivered an exceptional batting display. Finn Allen scored 80 off 46 balls and Tim Seifert added 78 off 37 balls, putting on an unbroken stand to take their side past the target without losing a wicket. The Black Caps reached 174/0 in 13.5 overs, showcasing aggressive strokeplay and controlled cricket to complete the chase with 38 balls to spare.

The victory highlighted New Zealand’s superior batting depth and ability to counter high totals in the tournament. Meanwhile, UAE’s record score underlined their growing competitiveness on the world stage, even though they were unable to defend their total against the world’s top teams.