New Zealand produced one of the most talked-about moments of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 when Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell pulled off a sensational relay catch against the United Arab Emirates at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium. The stunning effort instantly went viral and became the highlight of an intense group-stage clash.
UAE won the toss and chose to bat first on a good surface. The decision paid off early as their top order played with confidence and intent. Openers looked comfortable against the pace, while the middle order kept the scoreboard moving with smart shot selection.
UAE Put Up a Competitive Total
Captain Muhammad Wasim led from the front and anchored the innings with a solid 66 off 45 balls. He mixed caution with aggression and found the boundary regularly. Alishan Sharaf supported him well and looked dangerous during his knock of 55, putting pressure on the New Zealand bowlers. Mayank Kumar added a useful 21, ensuring the UAE reached a strong total of 173 for six in 20 overs.
New Zealand’s bowlers stayed disciplined despite the resistance. Matt Henry stood out with two key wickets. Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Mitchell Santner, and Glenn Phillips chipped in with one wicket each, preventing the UAE from crossing the 180 mark.
The Catch That Changed the Momentum
The turning point came during Alishan Sharafu’s innings. Attempting a big shot near the boundary, he sent the ball high towards the deep field. Mark Chapman judged it perfectly and leapt near the rope. Realising his momentum would take him over, Chapman showed sharp awareness and flicked the ball back into play mid-air. Daryl Mitchell, positioned nearby, reacted instantly and completed the catch cleanly.
The relay catch drew loud cheers from the crowd and praise across social media. Fans and former players called it one of the finest fielding efforts of the tournament so far. The dismissal broke the Uthe AE’s momentum and shifted the energy firmly in New Zealand’s favour.
Playing XIs
New Zealand:
Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (Captain), Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy.
United Arab Emirates:
Aryansh Sharma, Muhammad Waseem (Captain), Alishan Sharafu, Mayank Kumar, Sohaib Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Arfan, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Rashid Khan.
Fielding Brilliance Sets New Standards
As the T20 World Cup progresses, moments like this underline how athleticism and awareness can change games. Chapman and Mitchell’s teamwork did more than dismiss a batter. It lifted team morale and reminded fans why modern cricket values sharp fielding as much as batting and bowling.
With performances like these, New Zealand continue to show why they remain strong contenders in the tournament.
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