New Delhi: UAE came close to winning their first match against Afghanistan but fell four runs short at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on September 5, Friday. The heartbreaking loss left the hosts winless in the T20I tri-series as they concluded the tournament with four consecutive losses.
Pakistan and Afghanistan have already qualified for the final before this game, and the visitors rested six Afghan players, including skipper Rashid Khan.
The hosts needed 17 runs in the last over, and Asif Khan’s 12 runs off the first three balls left Afghanistan in agony, but Fareed Ahmad Malik made a strong comeback in the last three deliveries, bowling two dot balls and taking Asif’s wicket in the last ball to secure a thrilling four-run win.
UAE needed 171 runs to conclude the Tri-series on a solid note, with both openers- Sharafu and Muhammad Waseem adding 54 runs for first wicket in the powerplay to give a perfect start to the hosts.
Noor Ahmad’s mystery bowling gave Afghanistan the first breakthrough, as he kept adding pressure from one end. The hosts lost three quick wickets after the solid start. Asif came to the crease when the UAE were struggling in the chase, and also struggled in the initial phase by scoring just seven runs off 13 balls at the end of the 17th over.
The hosts needed 43 runs in the last three overs, and Asif chipped in with his power-hitting game by scoring 16 runs in the 18th over and tilted the momentum towards them. His partner, Harshit Kaushik, also smashed a four and six to bring the equation to 17 runs in the last over.
Afghanistan post 170/4 in first innings
Ultimately, Afghanistan pulled off a thriller against the UAE with the help of impressive death bowling from Fareed. Earlier, Ibrahim Zadran (48) forged a crucial 98-run opening partnership with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (40), which helped they to post a decent score of 170/4.
Karim Jannat also played a decent cameo by scoring 28 runs off just 14 balls to finish the innings with some crucial boundaries. UAE’s Haider Ali scalped two wickets and gave just 23 runs in four overs.
Pakistan will take on Afghanistan in the final of the UAE T20I Tri-series 2025 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on September 7, Sunday.