Chennai, Feb 10 (NationPress) New Zealand's captain Mitchell Santner commended the batting performance of the United Arab Emirates and pointed out that effective execution was crucial for his team's 10-wicket victory during their encounter in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday.

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen set a new world record for the opening partnership, amassing 175 runs as New Zealand convincingly defeated the UAE in a Group C matchup.

The Kiwi openers dismantled the lackluster bowling attack from the UAE, achieving their second consecutive win in Chennai, while UAE faced another frustrating loss.

“Hats off to the UAE - they played quite well. They adapted swiftly to the conditions and posted a competitive total. To be honest, it was a fairly flat wicket,” Santner remarked post-match.

“I did mention at the toss that we might have preferred to bat first. However, once we gauged the conditions, it became evident that this pitch was more favorable than the last one. The opposition executed some impressive shots and capitalized on the pace effectively. Once we adjusted our bowling to be fuller and varied our pace, we saw improvements. Our seamers were exceptional towards the end,” he added.

Santner also emphasized the strategic importance of the ground dimensions. He commended the opening duo for their blend of power and clever shot selection.

“With the larger side of the ground in play, it seemed like the right strategy. Rachin bowled superbly; there was some assistance for him. Our game plan was to exploit the bigger boundary wisely, particularly since one side was relatively short. It was crucial to target the short side when feasible while also committing to quick runs towards the longer boundary,” he explained.

Seifert and Allen demonstrated relentless intensity right from the start. New Zealand accelerated during the Power-play, racking up 78 runs in just six overs, mercilessly punishing the UAE's pace bowlers. Overs of 20 and 22 runs proved devastating, eliminating any hope for the UAE to stage a comeback.

Both openers reached their fifties rapidly, with the first century partnership occurring in no time as the ball frequently cleared the boundary. Finn Allen, the more restrained of the two, concluded his innings with 84 runs off 50 balls, while Tim Seifert was a whirlwind, scoring 89 runs from just 42 balls.

“It’s always exhilarating to watch the top-order bat like that. They struck the ball beautifully and made smart choices - hitting straight, targeting the short side when possible, and rotating the strike to the larger side. When they get going together, it creates a comfortable scenario for us,” Santner noted.

He also indicated that New Zealand was gearing up for a crucial match against South Africa in Ahmedabad, where every point would be vital. “Ahmedabad seems set to provide a good wicket. We recognize the strength of South Africa, making it a significant game for us. Securing points there would be crucial, and we’re genuinely excited about it,” he stated.

New Zealand's next challenge is against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Saturday.