Oman failed to put up a fight in the run chase, and with UAE’s victory, India advanced to the Super Four.
Muhammad Waseem effected a direct-hit run-out to dismiss Oman’s last batter. Perhaps the match couldn’t have ended any better. On his way to a fine innings with the bat, Waseem also set a record and led the team admirably on the field. His side finally ended their winless streak.
In this Asia Cup Group ‘A’ clash, UAE beat Oman by 42 runs. Batting first in Abu Dhabi on Monday, they posted 172 and bowled Oman out for 130.
After six straight T20 losses, UAE finally returned to winning ways, while Oman tasted their seventh consecutive defeat.
With losses in their first two matches, Oman are now eliminated from the group stage. At the same time, India (4 points) have sealed their place in the Super Four from this group. The remaining spot will now be contested between Pakistan (2 points) and UAE (2 points), who will face off on Wednesday.
Against Oman, an 88-run opening stand between Waseem and Alishan Sharafu laid the foundation for UAE’s big total and victory.
On his way to a 69-run knock off 54 balls with six fours and three sixes, Waseem reached the milestone of 3,000 runs in this format – the fastest ever by balls faced. Sharafu, who struck 51 off 38 balls with seven fours and one six, was named Player of the Match.
With the ball, Junaid Siddique starred for UAE, taking 4 wickets for 23 runs.
At the Zayed Cricket Stadium, UAE were only 11 for no loss after the first three overs. Then Waseem and Sharafu shifted gears, smashing 39 runs in the next three overs to reach 50 in the powerplay.
Sharafu reached his fifty in 37 balls but fell the very next delivery. In that same over, Waseem was dropped on 33 and made full use of the chance.
Waseem completed his fifty off 41 balls and reached the 3,000-run milestone at 59. He needed only 1,947 balls to get there, breaking Jos Buttler’s previous record of 2,068 deliveries.
Explosive batter Asif Khan failed to fire on the day, but Muhammad Zohaib (21 off 13) and Harshit Kaushik (19* off 8) added useful cameos. Waseem was run out in the final over.
In reply, Oman kept losing wickets regularly. At 50 for 5, they looked in danger of being bundled out for under 100. However, their middle and lower order ensured they crossed three figures and narrowed the margin of defeat.
Among Oman’s top five, only captain Jatinder Singh (20) reached double figures. Aryan Bist was the top scorer with 24.
Brief Score
- United Arab Emirates: 172/5 in 20 overs (Sharafu 51, Waseem 69, Asif 2, Zohaib 21, Harshit 19*, Rahul 0, Dhruv 1*; Shakeel 3-0-16-0, Faisal 4-0-45-0, Kaleem 1-0-14-0, Hasnain 4-0-34-1, Ramananandi 4-0-24-2, Shrivastava 4-0-38-1)
- Oman: 130 in 18.4 overs (Jatinder 20, Kaleem 2, Hammad 5, Waseem 1, Faisal 9, Aryan 24, Shukla 20, Ramananandi 13, Hasnain 0, Shakeel 14*, Shrivastava 6; Junaid 4-0-23-4, Rohid 2.4-0-27-1, Haider 4-0-22-2, Dhruv 2-0-14-0, Harshit 3-0-23-0, Jawadullah 3-0-18-2)
Result: UAE won by 42 runs
Player of the Match: Alishan Sharafu
