Sharjah: Afghanistan clinched a nail-biting four-run win over hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the sixth match of the ongoing T20I tri-series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday. A disciplined bowling effort in the final over sealed the contest after the Afghans had set a target of 171.
Chasing 171, UAE came agonizingly close with 166/5 on the board. Middle-order batter Asif Khan played a gutsy knock of 40 and nearly pulled off a sensational finish. Facing left-arm pacer Fareed Ahmad in the final over, Asif hammered a four and a six off the first two deliveries to bring the equation down to five needed from three balls. But Fareed held his nerve, producing two dot balls before dismissing Asif at long off to seal victory for Afghanistan.
Earlier, UAE’s innings was anchored by skipper Muhammad Waseem, who top-scored with a brisk 44 off 29 balls, including two boundaries and three sixes. He shared a 65-run opening stand with Alishan Sharafu, who managed 27 from 23 deliveries. Contributions from Zohaib (23) and Harshit Kaushik (15 not out) kept the hosts in contention, but regular wickets pegged them back at crucial stages.
Afghanistan’s bowlers shared the spoils evenly, with Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Abdollah Ahmadzai, and Fareed Ahmad each claiming a wicket.
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan posted 170/4 in 20 overs. The foundation came from a solid 98-run opening partnership between Ibrahim Zadran (48 off 35) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (40 off 38). Their dismissals in quick succession briefly stalled momentum, but late fireworks reignited the innings.
All-rounder Karim Janat blasted 28 off just 14 balls with three sixes, while Gulbadin Naib (20 not out off 14) and Azmatullah Omarzai (14 not out off 9) added an unbeaten 40-run stand to lift Afghanistan to a competitive total.
For UAE, Haider Ali impressed with figures of 2/32, while Simranjeet Singh and Muhammad Farooq chipped in with a wicket each.
The result strengthens Afghanistan’s standing in the tri-series, while UAE will be left ruing a golden opportunity to upset one of Asia’s strongest T20 sides.
