3rd T20I, Sharjah, January 02, 2024, 07:30 PM
United Arab Emirates
126/9(20.0ov)
Afghanistan
128/6(18.3ov)
Afghanistan beat United Arab Emirates by 4 wickets
Right then, that is it from this fascinating series! Ibrahim Zadran collects the trophy and joins his teammates. All smiles in the Afghanistan camp as they pose for pictures with the trophy. We hope you guys enjoyed our company. Cheers!
Ibrahim Zadran, the skipper of Afghanistan, says that it feels good to get the series win. It adds that the UAE kept them under pressure, but the guys played really well. He says that UAE bowlers bowled really well. He says that there were some mistakes in the previous game, and Naveen-ul-Haq is the captain of the team, and he performed really well. Ends by saying they have some young talent and they are waiting for their chance.
Muhammad Waseem, the skipper of the UAE, says that the guys fought well, but they fell short of 10-15 runs. It adds that Dhruv Parashar is an excellent talent, and he bowled well. He says that they missed some chances on the run-out, but that's okay. Ends by saying that they have many positives to take from this series.
Naveen-ul-Haq is the player of the match for his four-fer. He says it was a crucial game, and they played well. Adds that getting the wickets in the crucial game feels really good. He says that the team has been playing around the world, and it helps to gain some confidence. Ends by saying that getting under pressure will help them play their next series in India.
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Earlier in the match, the UAE team struggled to score runs, reaching 126/9 in 20 overs due to a difficult pitch with low bounce and significant turn. The Afghan bowlers, particularly Naveen-ul-Haq (4/20) and spinners Qais Ahmad (3/24) and Azmatullah Omarzai, capitalized well on the conditions. The UAE batters made some inexperienced shot choices, leading to early dismissals. However, late contributions from Ali Nasseer, Akif Raja, and Muhammad Jawadullah helped the UAE reach a competitive total.
The United Arab Emirates bowled well. They were a bit poor in their fielding. Had they controlled their overthrows, things could have been a bit different. Junaid Siddique picked up two wickets but was a bit expensive. Aayan Khan, Muhammad Jawadullah, Ali Naseer, and Dhruv Parashar chipped in with a wicket each.
Najibullah Zadran's heroics at the end made Afghanistan get over the line and win the series! I have to say it was a hard-fought win as they beat the United Arab Emirates by 4 wickets. Chasing a middling score of 128 runs, the Afghan top order was off to a steady start. They were well in control at the halfway stage, but the UAE bounced back and picked up quick wickets right after the drinks break. Najibullah Zadran stepped up in the end and scored a quickfire 28 off just 13 deliveries to get their side well over the line.
In over# 19
6
6
2
Junaid Siddique 32/2(3.3)
18.3
6
SIX! Zadran finished off in style. This is full and wide of off. Zadran lofts it high and handsomely over covers for a biggie. Afghanistan win by 4 wickets.
18.2
6
SIX! Up, up and over! Full and outside off, Najibullah Zadran picks it well and lofts it over deep extra covers for a maximum! Just 5 runs needed now!
18.1
2
Bowls it outside off, Najibullah Zadran eases it to covers for one. An overthrow allows the batters to take one more.
Junaid Siddique come into the attack.
In over# 18
0
1
4
2
4
0
Ali Naseer 24/1(4)
17.6
.
Slower one, outside off, Sharafuddin Ashraf looks to play at it but misses.
17.5
1
Bowls it on off, Najibullah Zadran guides it to point for one.
17.4
4
FOUR! Excellent shot! On a length and on off, Najibullah Zadran picks it well and lofts it over extra covers for a boundary. 14 needed off 14 now!
17.3
2
On a length and on off, Najibullah Zadran tucks it to deep square leg for a brace.
17.2
4
FOUR! Lands it on middle, Zadran stands tall and lofts it downtown as the ball just bounced near the ropes. Umpire checks and signals it as a boundary!
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