New Zealand won against United Arab Emirates in the very first T20I of the series by 19 runs on Thursday (17th August). Tim Seifert's blistering 54 and Southee's firing 5 wicket haul saw them winning the match comfortably.

Earlier the day, United Arab Emirates won the toss and they opted to bowl first on a two paced pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai. After being put into bat first, New Zealand started off to a flier with Seifert going great guns. He made a fantastic 55 off 34 balls with a fine strike rate of 161.76. But after the departure of Seifert, UAE controlled things very nicely. The spinners found their grooves and the pacers bowled a lot of cutters on a hard length. It was really very difficult for the Kiwi batters to get going against those immaculate cutters.

However they got the tempo at the end with Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie's impressive 7th wicket stand. The gave the final flourish as Rachin made 21 off only 11 deliveries, Cole scored a fine 31 off only 24 balls and Kiwis finished their journey of first innings on 155-6 after alloted 20 overs.

Basil Hamid and Junayed Siddique were pick of the bowlers as they both took two apiece. While Zahoor Khan and Farazuddin got one apiece. Their controlled bowling restricted New Zealand on a below per total.

In reply of 156, UAE had a barren start. Courtesy Tim Southee's impressive new ball bowling as he picked up Muhammad Waseem in the very first ball of the innings and also got number three batter Aravind. Mitchell Santner got rid of Asif Khan. James Neesham's slowish pace got worked out as he picked up the wicket of Ansh Tandon and UAE were reduced to 84-4.

But one man stood high and kept the ship going. And he went for scoring 60 off only 43 balls. However Aryansh's innings wasn’t enough to take his side home. Tim Southee was brought back in the death overs and he wrapped up things nicely and got a five far, which was his second five far in T20I Cricket. And eventually Nz won the match by 19 runs.