Afghanistan beat UAE in final match, clinch T20 series 2-1

Gulf Today, Sports Reporter

Naveen-Ul Haq wreaked a havoc with four scalps to help Afghanistan set up a four-wicket win over the UAE in the last of three-match series in Sharjah on Tuesday.

After restricting UAE to 126, Afghanistan chased down the target for the loss of six wickets with nine balls to spare. Afghanistan won the series 2-1.

Naveen and Qais Ahmed shared seven wickets between them as the UAE batsmen failed to put up any resistance against the disciplined bowling.

Naveen triggered the collapse as both the bowlers ripped through the top order of the UAE. Naveen was at his brutal best as he rattled the stumps of Aryan Lakra (1) with just 15 runs on the board.

He trapped Vriitya Aravind for a golden duck off the next delivery as the UAE lost two wickets in two deliveries. Captain Muhammad Waseem was holding the fort from one end.

The UAE kept on losing the wickets at regular intervals. Tanish Suri and Dhruv Parashar were dismissed for seven and zero respectively, leaving the UAE in the rut.

Qais got rid of Waseem to leave the UAE in tatters. They needed someone to play a big a knock and anchor the faltering innings.

After a brief resistance from the lower order, UAE’s fighting innings was folded. Qais returned with a figure of 3/24 while Naveen conceded 20 runs for his four wickets. Azmatullah Omarzai also picked up two wickets as UAE were bundled out for a paltry 126/9.

Chasing, Afghanistan were off to a flying start. Both the openers Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz added 30 runs for the first wicket to lay down the foundation for a successful chase.

UAE did try to make some in-roads through their bowlers. Parashar, Junaid Siddique and Ali Aamer Naseer led the UAE fight-back with a valiant effort. They reduced Afghanistan to 100/4, needing 26 runs in four overs with six wickets in hands.

Najibullah Zadran scored a blitzkrieg innings, smashing 28 off 13 deliveries to all but end UAE’s hopes of a come-from-behind victory.

After losing the opening game, UAE put up a stellar show to bounce back in the second match.

The second T20I between UAE and Afghanistan unfolded into a gripping contest that saw UAE emerge victorious by 11 runs, levelling the three-match series at 1-1.

A collective effort from UAE's batsmen, highlighted by fifties from Muhammad Waseem and Aryan Lakra, laid the foundation for their total of 166 for 7. In response, Afghanistan's chase stumbled under the pressure of Naseer and Jawadullah's four-wicket bursts, securing a crucial win for UAE.

Opting to bat first, UAE's openers, Waseem and Lakra, set the tone with a brisk opening stand of 72 in 8.3 overs.

Captain Waseem led the charge, contributing 53 off 32 balls with an aggressive display featuring four fours and three sixes. Despite Qais Ahmad's quick double breakthrough, Lakra stepped up, finishing unbeaten on 63 off 47 balls, guiding UAE to a competitive total of 166.

Afghanistan's openers, Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, got off to a promising start, reaching 47 for 0 in five overs.

However, the momentum shifted when Naseer intervened, taking crucial wickets in quick succession. Jawadullah joined the party, dismissing key batsmen as Afghanistan slipped to 99 for 6 in the 15th over, needing 65 from 30 balls.

While Mohammad Nabi's explosive 47 off 27 balls provided hope, wickets continued to tumble around him. Naseer returned to remove Qais, and Jawadullah's back-to-back strikes signalled the end for Afghanistan. Despite Nabi's late fireworks, UAE held their nerve to bowl out Afghanistan for 155 and secure the victory. Naseer was named the Player of the Match for his exceptional bowling performance, claiming four crucial wickets for just 24 runs.