The UAE cricket team created history by winning a three-match T20 series against Bangladesh 2-1. The series did not start well for the UAE, as they lost the first match.
Sports News: Wednesday marked a historic moment in the cricketing world as an associate team—the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—stunned full member Bangladesh in a T20 International series. Winning 2-1 in the three-match series, the UAE demonstrated that underestimating them could be a costly mistake.
In the decisive third match played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the UAE defeated Bangladesh by 7 wickets. This victory marked the second time the UAE has won a T20 series against a Test-playing nation; their previous win was against Ireland in 2021.
UAE's Stellar Performance in the Third Match
Winning the toss, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem opted to bowl first, a decision his bowlers justified. Left-arm spinner Hayder Ali's impressive 3 wickets for just 7 runs shook the foundation of the Bangladesh innings. Bangladesh's top three batsmen failed to score, putting the entire team under immense pressure. Bangladesh managed to reach 162 runs, but this proved insufficient against the UAE's b batting lineup.
Sharafu and Asif's Explosive Partnership Secures Victory
Chasing 162, the UAE's innings started shakily with the early dismissal of captain Muhammad Waseem. However, Alishan Sharafu and Asif Khan then took charge, dismantling the Bangladesh bowlers. Their crucial 87-run partnership for the fourth wicket completely swung the match in the UAE's favor.
Alishan Sharafu played an unbeaten knock of 68 runs off 47 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes. Asif Khan contributed a blazing 41 runs off just 26 balls, smashing 5 towering sixes. The UAE achieved the target in 19.1 overs, securing a resounding victory by 7 wickets.
UAE's Three Superstars: The True Heroes of the Victory
- Alishan Sharafu – Named Man of the Match for his magnificent unbeaten 68 runs in the decisive match. His composed yet aggressive batting under pressure steered the team towards victory.
- Asif Khan – Played a whirlwind innings of 41 runs off 26 balls, partnering with Sharafu to break Bangladesh's grip on the match.
- Hayder Ali – Took 3 crucial wickets for only 7 runs, delivering an early blow to Bangladesh's batting order, from which they couldn't recover.
Captain Muhammad Waseem's Dominance in the Series
While UAE captain Muhammad Waseem only scored 9 runs in the third match, his contribution to the entire series was significant. He amassed 145 runs across three matches, including two half-centuries, averaging 48.33. Under Waseem's captaincy, the UAE displayed not only collective skill but also the mental fortitude typically seen in top teams.
UAE's fast bowler Muhammad Jawadullah was the leading wicket-taker in the series, claiming 7 wickets and consistently troubling the Bangladesh batsmen. His disciplined line and length proved a headache for Bangladesh.
