The host team United Arab Emirates national cricket team (UAE) were left reeling after a dramatic defeat at home, as Afghanistan national cricket team edged out a victory by just four runs in a nail‑biting finish to the tri‑series.
In the final league fixture of the tournament, UAE chased 171 to win but fell agonisingly short, finishing at 166/5 in their 20 overs. Afghanistan had earlier posted 170/5 after a strong opening stand laid the foundation.
Afghanistan set the tone
Afghanistan’s innings got off to a superb start. Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz combined for a 98‑run opening partnership. Zadran scored 48, while Gurbaz made 40 before falling at the end of the 12th over.
The UAE side missed a run‑out chance and dropped a catch, allowing the visitors to shift gears. Zadran showed his range with boundary hits and well‑timed shots off the legs‑spinner, while Gurbaz provided the momentum early.
Later in the innings, Karim Janat struck 28 off 14 balls (including three sixes) to propel Afghanistan closer to their total, before contributions from Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai sealed the score.
UAE’s powered start
The chase began promisingly for UAE. Alishan Sharafu started with a flourish and, together with Muhammad Waseem, the hosts raced to 54/0 in the PowerPlay thanks to four boundaries and three sixes.
However, the momentum was interrupted when Noor Ahmad removed Sharafu, and from there Afghanistan’s spinners and bowlers began applying pressure. Waseem made 44 but could not carry the side all the way.
Final over drama
With 17 required off the last over, UAE looked to be favourites at one point, having reduced 43 needed off three balls to 5 required off three. At that stage, a win seemed within reach.
But a brilliant death over from Fareed Ahmad Malik, including two dot balls and the wicket of Asif Khan off the last delivery, turned the match on its head and delivered heartbreak for the hosts.
What it means
For UAE, this loss means finishing the series without a win at home a tough outcome considering their starts in each game. Their inability to close out matches despite strong beginnings will raise questions about their death‑over bowling, composure under pressure, and overall match‑finishing capability.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, will take confidence from a gritty finish, proving once again they can hold their nerve in tight situations. The combination of a solid bat‑foundation and calm execution in the final overs made the difference.
Key takeaways
- A blazing start from UAE faltered due to middle‑over stutters and Afghanistan’s tight bowling.
- The opening partnership from Afghanistan set up a defendable total, thanks to the hosts’ missed chances in the field.
- Death bowling made the defining difference UAE’s chase was undone at the very end.
- Momentum shifts matter: from dominance in the powerplay to pressure in the final overs, the pendulum swung repeatedly.
Looking ahead
For UAE, the focus must now shift to reinforcing their death‑overs strategy and improving mental toughness under crunch moments. They must build on their strong opening phases and show consistency throughout the innings, especially in high‑stakes situations.
Afghanistan will aim to carry this winning momentum forward and fine‑tune their composure in close games. Their blend of batting flair and disciplined bowling appears to be paying dividends.
Final thoughts:
The UAE vs Afghanistan clash was a thrilling reminder of how cricket can turn in a matter of moments. UAE showed promise with aggressive batting and strong starts, but the inability to close out the game under pressure proved costly. Afghanistan’s composure, strategic bowling, and execution in the final over highlighted the importance of mental toughness and finishing skills in T20 cricket.
For UAE, lessons from this heartbreak could be a turning point, pushing them to sharpen their death‑over strategy and match awareness. For Afghanistan, the victory reinforces their resilience and ability to perform under pressure qualities that could make them a formidable opponent in upcoming tournaments.
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