New Zealand have had the ideal start. They beat Afghanistan by five wickets, reaching a target of 183 in 17.5 overs, and now head to Chennai looking to secure a Super 8 place. Tim Seifert’s composed 65 off 42 was the highlight, while his opening partner Finn Allen has a T20I strike rate of 166 and hit 80 off 38 against India last month. Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips keep the scoreboard moving in the middle, Daryl Mitchell adds muscle, and James Neesham and Mitchell Santner give depth.
The bowling is covered in every phase: Jacob Duffy and Matt Henry can take wickets early and at the death, Lockie Ferguson returned 2 for 40 against Afghanistan, and Santner’s left-arm spin troubled Afghanistan’s batters and could matter again on a surface that helps slower bowlers.
The UAE reached the tournament through the Asia and EAP qualifiers but have struggled for results since, losing to Ireland twice and winning neither warm-up. Muhammad Waseem is their key batter, with Alishan Sharafu in good rhythm and Aryansh Sharma and Muhammad Arfan adding solidity. Haider Ali and Junaid Siddique took eight wickets between them against Ireland, and spinners Dhruv Parashar and Simranjeet Singh may be important in the middle overs.
