KEY POINTS
- Tim Seifert (89) and Finn Allen (84) blasted an unbroken 175-run partnership, the highest in T20 World Cup history.
- Chase of 174 was completed in 15.2 overs, securing a 10-wicket win over the UAE.
- Their stand surpassed the previous T20 WC record of 170* set by England’s Alex Hales and Jos Buttler.
ISLAMABAD: In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, New Zealand openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen annihilated the record books, powering the Blackcaps to a crushing 10-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates and engraving their names into T20 World Cup folklore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday.
Partnership for the ages
Chasing a competitive target of 174, the Kiwi duo did not just win the match; they authored a historic chapter. Their unbroken stand of 175 runs is now the highest partnership for any wicket in the tournament’s history.
Absolute carnage from Tim Seifert and Finn Allen rewrites #T20WorldCup record books 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kx4XA2upo5
— ICC (@ICC) February 10, 2026
They surpassed the previous record of 170, set by England’s Alex Hales and Jos Buttler against India in the 2022 semi-final. The partnership also stands as the second-highest successful chase without losing a wicket in all T20 Internationals, trailing only the 203-run stand by Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam in 2022 against England in Karachi.
Masterclass in dominance
The record was a product of pure, sustained aggression. Seifert was the primary aggressor, racing to an unbeaten 89 off just 42 balls, peppered with 12 fours and three sixes. Allen provided the perfect foil with a blistering 84 from 50 deliveries, clearing the boundary five times.
They rendered the UAE bowling attack helpless, cruising to the target with a staggering 28 balls to spare. This clinical performance secured New Zealand’s second consecutive win and a dominant statement ahead of their pivotal clash against South Africa.
A record opening stand at the Men’s #T20WorldCup powered New Zealand’s second successive win 🔥
Watch highlights from every match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on https://t.co/CPDKNxoJ9v 🎦https://t.co/09ite1gnyd
— ICC (@ICC) February 10, 2026
Context: Toppling a Storied List
The feat toppled a prestigious list of legendary partnerships. The new top-five for highest stands in T20 World Cup history now reads:
175* – Tim Seifert & Finn Allen (NZ) vs UAE, Chennai, 2026
170 – Alex Hales & Jos Buttler (ENG) vs India, Adelaide, 2022
168 – Rilee Rossouw & Quinton de Kock (SA) vs Bangladesh, Sydney, 2022
166 – Kumar Sangakkara & Mahela Jayawardene (SL) vs West Indies, Bridgetown, 2010
154 – Rahmanullah Gurbaz & Ibrahim Zadran (AFG) vs Uganda, Providence, 2024
152 – Mohammad Rizwan & Babar Azam (PAK) vs India, Dubai, 2021
152 – Eoin Morgan & Alex Hales (ENG) vs Sri Lanka, Chattogram, 2014
145 – Dwayne Smith & Chris Gayle (WI) vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2007
145 – Mahela Jayawardene & Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL) vs England, Chattogram, 2014
142 – Salman Butt & Kamran Akmal (PAK) vs Bangladesh, Gros Islet, 2010
Foundation for a formidable total
Earlier, the UAE had posted a respectable 173 for six, built on fine half-centuries from captain Muhammad Waseem (66*) and Alishan Sharafu (55). Their 107-run partnership seemed to have set a solid platform, but it was ultimately rendered insignificant by the Blackcaps’ record-shattering reply.
This innings was more than a match-winning knock; it was a historic event that redefined the limits of opening partnerships in the sport’s premier T20 competition, setting a formidable benchmark for future editions.
