The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has approved Haider Shah as a replacement for Muhammad Zohaib in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) squad. Haider, with 16 T20Is under his belt, steps in after Zohaib’s withdrawal from the team due to player mental well-being and team welfare concerns. The UAE faced a heavy 10-wicket loss to New Zealand in their tournament opener.
Tim Seifert and Finn Allen set a world record opening partnership of 175 runs as New Zealand dominated the United Arab Emirates with a 10-wicket victory in a Group C match. New Zealand’s openers dismantled the UAE’s bowling attack, securing a comfortable win in Chennai. The UAE, on the other hand, faced disappointment with no wins in their account.
In the match, UAE captain Mohammed Waseem chose to bat first on a true, bouncy pitch. Despite a shaky start, the UAE managed to build a solid second-wicket partnership of 107 runs off just 77 balls. Waseem and Sharafu both notched up half-centuries, with Sharafu reaching his fifty before Waseem registered his 29th T20I half-century. The UAE posted a total of 173/6 in their innings, marking their highest T20 World Cup score.
Seifert and Allen displayed an unstoppable batting performance from the outset. New Zealand raced to 78 runs in the Powerplay, showcasing aggressive batting against the UAE’s bowlers. The openers quickly reached their half-centuries, establishing a rapid 100-run partnership. Finn Allen scored 84 runs off 50 balls, while Tim Seifert’s aggressive 89 runs off 42 balls sealed New Zealand’s victory convincingly.
