UAE Achieves Historic T20I Series Victory Over Bangladesh
UAE Makes History with T20I Series Win
Sharjah [UAE], May 22: The United Arab Emirates has made a significant mark in cricket history by clinching its inaugural T20I bilateral series against Bangladesh, securing a seven-wicket victory in the final match held at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Alishan Sharafu sealed the match for the UAE with a boundary, completing their chase of a 163-run target and ensuring a 2-1 series victory. The UAE players celebrated joyfully on the field, while Bangladesh faced the reality of a disappointing outcome, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching.
The series began with a setback for the UAE, losing the first match by 27 runs to Bangladesh. However, they bounced back impressively, winning the next two matches in succession. In the second T20I, the UAE successfully chased down a challenging target of 206 runs, leveling the series.
In the crucial final match, the UAE won the toss and opted to field first. Bangladesh struggled with their batting, largely due to the exceptional left-arm spin bowling of Haider Ali, who took 3 wickets for just 7 runs, dismantling Bangladesh's top order and leaving them at a precarious 49 for 4.
Despite a poor performance from captain Litton Das (14), Bangladesh found some hope in Tanzid Hasan's explosive 40 runs off 18 balls and Jaker Ali's steady 41 runs off 34 balls. Hasan Mahmud added a quickfire 26 runs off 15 balls, helping Bangladesh reach a total of 162 for 9, giving them a fighting chance in the series decider.
In response, UAE's captain Muhammad Waseem (6) was dismissed early, followed by Muhammad Zohaib (29). Sharafu, however, took charge and led his team towards victory, showcasing his batting prowess against Bangladesh's bowlers.
Asif Khan supported Sharafu, and together they formed an unbroken partnership of 87 runs for the fourth wicket, effectively dismantling Bangladesh's defense. Asif (41*) hit two sixes in the penultimate over, bringing the UAE closer to their historic win. The match concluded with Sharafu scoring 68* runs, marking a momentous achievement for the UAE cricket team.