Afghanistan Triumphs Over UAE in Last-Ball T20I Thriller at Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Dramatic Finish in Sharjah

Afghanistan continued their impressive run in the T20I tri-series with a thrilling 4-run victory over hosts UAE at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Despite fielding a second-string team with six changes to their lineup, Afghanistan delivered a well-rounded performance.

Match Highlights

Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 170 for 4, with Ibrahim Zadran contributing 48 runs and Rahmanullah Gurbaz adding 40. UAE’s response was spirited, led by Muhammad Waseem’s 44 and Asif Khan’s valiant 40.

The UAE chase began impressively with openers Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu putting up a quick 59-run partnership in just 7 overs. However, the momentum shifted when Noor Ahmad and Azmatullah Omarzai claimed crucial wickets, leading to a challenging middle-overs period for UAE.

Dramatic Final Over

The match reached a crescendo in the final over, with Fareed Ahmad defending 16 runs. After conceding a four and a six off the first two deliveries, he showed remarkable composure to close out the game with a sequence of 4, 6, 2, dot, dot, wicket, securing the victory for Afghanistan.

Significance and Future Implications

While UAE ended the tri-series without a win, they demonstrated considerable potential, particularly through the performances of Asif Khan and captain Muhammad Waseem. For Afghanistan, the victory highlighted their depth, with stand-in captain Ibrahim Zadran showing exceptional leadership. Despite a slow start of five from nine balls, Zadran’s technical prowess shone through before he was eventually dismissed for 48 off 34 balls, contributing significantly to his team’s successful campaign.

The tournament’s final will feature Pakistan taking on Afghanistan on Sunday, setting the stage for another exciting cricket encounter.