UAE 206 for 8 (Waseem 82, Zohaib 38, Rishad 2-28) triumphed over Bangladesh 205 for 5 (Tanzid 59, Hridoy 45, Jawadullah 3-45) by two wickets
In a thrilling encounter in Sharjah, the UAE cricket team demonstrated remarkable composure to secure a historic two-wicket victory against Bangladesh in the second T20I match. This marks the UAE’s first win against Bangladesh in T20 internationals as they successfully chased 206 runs with just one ball remaining.
UAE’s captain Muhammad Waseem played a pivotal role, scoring 82 runs off 42 balls, featuring nine fours and five sixes. His performance was crucial in guiding the team during the chase.
After Waseem’s dismissal, with 58 runs still required, the UAE players showcased their determination. Each batter from the seventh position onward hit at least one six, with Dhruv Parashar displaying composure in the final over. Haider Ali hit the winning runs off Tanzim Hasan with just one ball left. While running, there was a mix-up between Haider and Matiullah Khan, but an errant throw from Towhid Hridoy allowed Haider to secure the two runs needed for the victory.
Waseem’s Outstanding Leadership
The chase began favorably for the UAE, as Najmul Hossain Shanto missed a challenging catch off Muhammad Zohaib on the very first ball. Waseem quickly picked up where he left off from the earlier match, hitting Tanvir Islam out of the stadium early on.
He effortlessly dispatched the ball over midwicket against Tanzim and recorded his third six with a slog-sweep off Tanvir. Waseem then capitalized on Rana’s bowling in the ninth over, sending three well-timed shots to the boundary before completing a century opening stand with a six off Rishad.
While the UAE lost two wickets in a span of two overs, Waseem was dropped by Hridoy when he had 63 runs, which proved to be a significant moment, as he soon hit his fifth six, stabilizing the innings once again.
Rana’s Challenging Debut
Nahid Rana entered the T20I arena with a promising background in both Tests and ODIs, but his debut was marred by inaccuracies. He started with a couple of no-balls and initially struggled to find his rhythm, conceding 18 runs in his first over.
UAE Faces Tension from Key Exits
Amidst a solid performance, Asif Khan hit consecutive sixes off Tanzim. However, Shoriful Islam got the better of Waseem with a well-executed slower ball, while Rana claimed Asif’s wicket with a sharp delivery, giving Bangladesh a crucial advantage.
A Near Miss on a Catch
Rana was in contention for another wicket but chaos ensued when captain Litton Das, Rishad, and Tanzid almost collided while attempting to catch Saghir Khan’s shot. Although they failed to secure that catch, Saghir managed to hit Rishad for a six before falling to a catch at long-off. Aryansh Sharma followed suit, hitting a six off Rana only to be caught the next ball, leading to Shoriful removing Alishan Sharafu in the penultimate over, boosting Bangladesh’s chances again.
Parashar’s Resolute Performance
Despite the falling wickets, Parashar remained undeterred, striking Shoriful for a boundary and a six. With 17 runs needed off the final seven balls, Shoriful’s errant throw contributed five extra runs to the UAE’s total.
As Tanzim began the last over, he opened with a wide delivery. Parashar then sent a full toss sailing over long-on for a six, leaving just four runs required from the last four balls. Although he was dismissed on the following ball, Matiullah Khan managed to get a single. The game’s turning point occurred with another no-ball from Tanzim, setting the stage for Haider to run two crucial runs. A moment of hesitation from Hridoy during the throw allowed Haider to narrowly make his ground at the crease.
Strong Start by Bangladesh
Bangladesh had a stellar start with 17 runs in the first over, featuring Tanzid smashing a six and consecutive boundaries off Matiullah Khan. Litton also scored two fours against Dhruv Parashar, although a missed catch by Jawadullah could have changed the complexion of the innings.
Jawadullah’s bowling also faltered as he conceded 15 runs in his opening over, allowing Tanzid to assert his dominance with a combination of powerful strikes. Eventually, Tanzid reached his fifty before being dismissed in the tenth over, as Bangladesh managed to post a commendable total of 205 for 5, although it fell short of what was needed for victory.