(Image Source: Twitter/EmiratesCricket)
[Saba Sports News] The opening T20I between UAE and Afghanistan was a lopsided affair, but the subsequent matches in the three-game series were closely contested, with Afghanistan ultimately securing a 2-1 victory.
In the decisive third T20I at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on January 2, UAE chose to bat first. Naveen-ul-Haq made an early impact with two wickets in consecutive deliveries in the second over, leaving UAE at a precarious 15/2. UAE captain Muhammad Waseem then tried to stabilize the innings amidst regular loss of partners, leading to a shaky 38/4 score in 5.4 overs, despite a strong start with 15 runs in the opening over from Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Waseem’s restrained 27 off 25 balls ended with a stumping off Qais Ahmed’s bowling. UAE struggled at 56/5, with more than half the innings left. Despite starts from Basil Hameed and Aayan Khan, UAE found themselves in trouble at 75/7. A crucial 30-run partnership between Ali Naseer and Akif Raja pushed the score past 100. Jawadullah’s 13 off 11 balls helped UAE reach 126/9. Naveen-ul-Haq shone with 4/20 in four overs, and Qais contributed with a three-wicket haul.
Chasing 127, Afghanistan faced a tricky pitch with variable bounce and spin assistance. Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s aggressive start yielded 30 runs by the fourth over, but his cameo of 20 ended with Junaid Siddique’s dismissal. Hazratullah Zazai and captain Ibrahim Zadran added 37 in a cautious partnership, with Zadran falling for 23 off 30 balls. UAE’s tight bowling led to Afghanistan losing four wickets for 18 runs, bringing the score to 103/6 with 24 needed from 19 balls.
Najibullah Zadran remained unfazed by the pressure, striking crucial boundaries and securing the win with two sixes in the 19th over. He remained unbeaten with a swift 28 off 13 balls, guiding Afghanistan to a four-wicket victory with nine balls remaining.