Hosts UAE achieved a historic moment by stunning cricket giants Pakistan in the semifinal of the Asian Cricket Council Under-19 Asia Cup at the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai.
The UAE successfully defended their total of 193, winning the match by 11 runs and securing a spot in the tournament’s final. This marks the first time the UAE has reached the final of a top cricket tournament at either junior or senior levels.
Journey to the Final:
The road to the final for the UAE included a notable upset against Test-playing team Sri Lanka in the tournament’s earlier stages.
Their remarkable journey continues as they prepare to face Bangladesh in the final, scheduled for Sunday.
Bangladesh secured their place in the championship match by defeating India with a 4-wicket victory in the other semifinal, setting the stage for an unexpected finale that excluded the traditional India-Pakistan clash.
Captain’s Prowess and Team Effort:
After being put into bat in the semifinal clash, the UAE posted a competitive total of 193 runs. Captain Aayan Afzal Khan played a pivotal role in the innings, top-scoring with 55 runs, while opener Aryansh Sharma contributed 46 patients.
Ethan D’Souza added valuable runs with a score of 37. Khan’s innings, consisting of seven boundaries, came from 57 deliveries.
Bowling Brilliance:
Pakistan’s bowlers faced a resilient UAE batting lineup, with Ubaid Shah being the standout performer, claiming four wickets for 44 runs.
Arafat Minhas and Ali Asfand also made significant contributions, each taking two wickets, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the UAE from securing their historic victory.
