Wellington, Feb 6: Unheralded wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert took the Indian bowling attack to cleaners with a scintillating 84 off 43 balls as New Zealand scored a commanding 219 for 6 in the first T20 International here Wednesday.

Seifert, whose previous best score in T20 Internationals happens to be 14, was promoted to open alongside Colin Munro (34 off 20 balls) and they added 86 runs in only 8.2 overs in a whirlwind start.

Seifert's knock had seven fours and half a dozen of sixes, setting the tone for a big total.

Seifert showed the intent straightaway as he gave Bhuvneshwar Kumar the charge as he picked the knuckle ball early, dispatching it over mid-wicket for a six. The next shot was a four as he stood and hammered past the bowler.

With Munro hitting Khaleel Ahmed (1/48 in 4 overs) for two successive sixes, New Zealand were off to a blazing start scoring 44 off the first four overs.

Seifert was lucky to survive when Mahendra Singh Dhoni dropped a sharp chance as the batsman had edged one off Krunal Pandya (1/37 in 4 overs).

But he promptly put the next delivery into the stands moving across towards off and sweeping it over backward square leg.

There wasn't signs of overt footwork but he shuffled enough inside the crease to make room for the big shots and in the process disturb the line and length of the bowlers.

When Hardik Pandya (2/51 in 4 overs) drifted on the leg stump, he was flicked behind the square and when he pitched wide outside off-stump, he lofted him cover point region.

In Hardik's next over, he again hit the bowler for a boundary and a flicked six. In between, his elder brother Krunal was switch hit for a boundary.

The elder Pandya finally got a breakthrough as Munro was caught in the deep off Vijay Shankar.

But Seifert never let the momentum drop as he hit two more sixes off Krunal, who just kept on pushing the ball through a flatter trajectory.

The normally dependable Yuzvendra Chahal (1/35 in 4 overs) also was slog swept over mid-wicket for the sixth maximum apart from being hit over extra cover for a boundary.

Just when it looked that a century was there for the taking, Khaleel bowled one in the block hole coming wide off the crease to clean Seifert up.

Once Seifert was gone, skipper Kane Williamson (34 off 22 balls) took charge and Scott Kuggeliejn (20 no off 7 balls) finished with a flourish. PTI KHS.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Sharjah (UAE): In a first, the Thumbay Group has announced plans to establish the region's first private Psychiatric and Rehabilitation Hospital in Sharjah Healthcare City. The Hospital is set to become the largest private facility of its kind in the region.

The hospital will focus on Innovation and Patient-Centered Care and the hospital is equipped to meet the highest clinical standards, offering Advanced Therapeutic Modalities, Comprehensive Rehabilitation Programs, Integrated Tele-health Solutions and Precision Medicine among others.

The hospital’s multidisciplinary model includes psychiatrists, psychologists, addiction counselors, family therapists, physical therapists, and occupational specialists, ensuring a holistic and individualized approach to patient care.

Thumbay Psychiatric and Rehabilitation Hospital will be developed in two phases. Phase 1 includes 60 inpatient beds and 12 outpatient clinics (OPDs) and Phase 2 adds another 60 beds, bringing the total capacity to 120 beds. Construction is set to begin in June 2025, with the hospital expected to be operational by mid-2026.

Key Features of the Hospital:

1. Psychiatric Care:

  • Diagnosis and Treatment.

  • Therapeutic Interventions.

2. Rehabilitation Services:

  • Substance Abuse Rehabilitation

3. Long-term Care and Aftercare:

  • Aftercare Programs

  • Inpatient VIP Villas.

4. Swimming Pool and Spa

5. A mosque (Thumbay Masjid) with a capacity for 500-600 worshippers, open to the public.

Commitment to International Standards

Thumbay Psychiatric and Rehabilitation Hospital seeks to achieve Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) certification, reflecting its adherence to rigorous global benchmarks in safety, quality, and effectiveness. The hospital will also comply with all UAE healthcare regulations, further emphasizing its commitment to ethical and evidence-based practices.

Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder and President of Thumbay Group, said, “This is the first private Psychiatric and Rehabilitation Hospital in the region, catering to regional and international patients seeking world-class care. Our goal is to make it the best facility serving the community.”

In a statement, His Excellency Dr. Abdelaziz Al Mheiri, Chairman of Sharjah Health Authority and Sharjah Healthcare City, lauded the initiative, saying, “This project aligns with our vision for Sharjah Healthcare City, where we prioritize all aspects of healthcare. Mental health is increasingly critical and often overlooked, and we are proud to host such a pioneering hospital.”