T20 World Cup: Pakistan avenges 2024 loss to US and NZ duo shares record partnership

CHENNAI, India — Pakistan avenged its shocking loss to the United States from two years ago at the T20 World Cup on Tuesday, and New Zealand openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen shared the highest-ever partnership for any wicket at the tournament.

The U.S., which gave co-host India a scare in its opening game before going down by 29 runs in Mumbai, struggled against Pakistan's spinners and lost by 32 runs in Colombo. It gave Pakistan its second successive win in Group A ahead of its huge showdown with archrival India on Sunday, a match that will go ahead after Pakistan reversed its decision to boycott.

Opener Sahibzada Farhan (73) and the experienced Babar Azam (46) gave Pakistan a strong total of 190-9 despite fast bowler Shadley van Schalwyk snaring his second four-wicket haul of the tournament.

The U.S. entered the game with happy memories of its stunning win over Pakistan in Texas in 2024, but its batters couldn't get momentum against mystery spinner Usman Tariq (3-27) and leg-spinner Shadab Khan (2-26). The other two spinners, Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed, shared two wickets.

The U.S. batters looked more at ease against the pace of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who returned 1-42 before Pakistan's tactic of deploying five spinners for the rest of the game worked well under the lights at Sinhalese Sports Club.

Shubham Ranjane posted 51 off 30 balls and opener Shayan Jahangir showed some aggression in the power play with 49 from 34 deliveries, but couldn't force the acceleration against spin-heavy Pakistan.

Tariq, who has an unusual side bowling action and takes a long pause just before delivering the ball, deceived the U.S. batters with his unique bowling style as he grabbed the wickets of Harmeet Singh and then Mohsin Ali off successive deliveries.

Pakistan lost Farhan and Babar in successive overs but Shadab played a vital cameo of 30 off just 12 balls as the U.S. claimed five wickets off the last 10 balls in a late collapse, including two in the penultimate over bowled by van Schalwyk.

Seifert and Allen's record

In Chennai, Seifert and Allen's brutal power-hitting in an unbroken stand of 175 saw the Black Caps beat UAE by 10 wickets.

Seifert followed his half century in the first Group D game against Afghanistan with an unbeaten 89 off 42 balls. Allen was not far behind and smacked 84 not out off 50 balls.

New Zealand sprinted to 175-0 in 15.2 overs for its second successive win in a group that also features 2024 finalist South Africa. After winning the toss, UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem (66 not out off 45 deliveries) and Alishan Sharafu (55 off 47) had earlier anchored their team on a good batting wicket to 173-6 in 20 overs.

Seifert and Allen made a rollicking start of 78-0 in the power play as the UAE pacemen bowled too many length balls which were duly dispatched for boundaries.

Seifert hit 12 fours and three sixes, including the winning six over the head of Muhammad Rohid, who was the most expensive UAE bowler with 0-51 in 3.2 overs. Junaid Siddique's four overs went for 47 without a wicket, and Muhammad Arfan conceded 36 runs off his three overs.

Allen matched Seifert with his innovative ramp shots and hit five fours and five sixes.

The previous record stand at a men's T20 World Cup (170 runs) was set by England batters Alex Hales and Jos Buttler against India in 2022.

De Leede stars in Dutch first win

De Leede took 2-20 as the Dutch used eight bowlers and Namibia scored 156-8. De Leede then smashed four sixes and five boundaries and guided his team to 159-3 in 18 overs with an unbeaten 72 off 48 balls.

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