In a thrilling T20 encounter in Sharjah, Afghanistan emerged victorious, securing a 2-1 series win against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Afghan team displayed a dominant bowling performance, spearheaded by Naveen Ul Haq's four-wicket haul and Qais Ahmad's three-for, setting the stage for a successful chase. Afghanistan's batsmen, led by Najibullah Zadran, sealed the series with a four-wicket win.
Match Summary:
Afghanistan's bowling brilliance proved decisive as they restricted the UAE to 126 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. Naveen Ul Haq wreaked havoc in the first innings, picking up three crucial wickets in the powerplay, leaving the UAE reeling at 38 for 4 by the sixth over. Qais Ahmad complemented Naveen's performance, claiming the next three wickets, including the dismissal of UAE's top scorer, Muhammad Waseem (27).
UAE's struggles continued as they slumped to 107 for 9, but a resilient 19-run tenth-wicket partnership between Muhammad Jawadullah and Junaid Siddique pushed the hosts to a total of 126. Naveen finished with impressive figures of 4 for 20, while Qais contributed with 3 for 24. Azmatullah Omarzai chipped in with two crucial wickets.
In pursuit of 127, Afghanistan's chase got off to a steady start with Rahmanullah Gurbaz providing early impetus. Hazratullah Zazai (36) and Ibrahim Zadran (23) maintained a steady pace, guiding Afghanistan past the halfway mark of the target. However, a middle-order collapse saw Afghanistan slipping from 85 for 2 to 103 for 6, offering the UAE a glimmer of hope.
With 24 runs needed in 18 balls, Najibullah Zadran emerged as the hero for Afghanistan.
Displaying composure and aggression, Najibullah accelerated the scoring, smashing two crucial fours in the 18th over to bring the required rate under six. As the tension mounted, Najibullah sealed the game with back-to-back sixes in the final two overs, finishing unbeaten on 28 at a remarkable strike rate of 215.
Key Performances:
Naveen Ul Haq's Four-Wicket Haul: Naveen's impactful spell in the powerplay set the tone for Afghanistan's dominance, finishing with figures of 4 for 20.
Qais Ahmad's Crucial Contributions: Qais Ahmad's three-wicket haul, including the key dismissal of Muhammad Waseem, played a crucial role in limiting UAE's innings.
Najibullah Zadran's Match-Winning Knock: Najibullah's unbeaten 28 off just 13 balls, featuring two fours and two sixes, turned the tide in Afghanistan's favour, guiding them to a series-clinching victory.
Conclusion
Afghanistan's comprehensive victory in the final T20I not only secured the series but showcased their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. Naveen Ul Haq's fiery spell with the ball set the stage, and Najibullah Zadran's explosive batting in the concluding overs provided the finishing touch. As Afghanistan celebrates a hard-fought series win, the UAE will reflect on areas for improvement, setting the stage for future encounters between these spirited cricketing nations.