NEW DELHI: A remarkable event unfolded at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025 in Bangkok, where the UAE women’s cricket team made a name for themselves by having all ten of their batters retire, creating one of the most unusual scorecards in T20 history. In their match against Qatar at the Terdthai Cricket Ground, UAE openers Esha Oza and Theertha Satish showcased an impressive partnership, accumulating 192 runs for the first wicket in just 16 overs. Discover more on our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Oza delivered an outstanding performance with a remarkable 113 runs off 55 balls, while Satish supported her with a quick 74 off 42. However, what transpired next left everyone stunned: all remaining UAE batters retired at the beginning of the 17th over. A total of ten players exited without facing any deliveries. The reason behind this move? An imminent rainstorm. Coach Ahmed Raza explained that, as weather conditions worsened, he consulted the match officials. “I approached the umpires to clarify if declaring was an option, but in white-ball cricket, that isn’t permitted,” he stated. “Then, I turned to the match referee to inquire about the possibility of retiring my entire team.” The tactic proved effective, with UAE bowling out Qatar for a mere 29 runs in 11.1 overs, securing a substantial 163-run victory and enhancing their net run rate. Despite the unconventional strategy, Raza emphasized that all actions complied with the regulations and were transparently communicated. “My intention was not to offend anyone, including our opponents. Everything we did adhered to the rules and was properly discussed with the match referee,” he clarified.
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While the ten retired batters garnered significant attention, the UAE’s dominant all-around display—highlighted by Oza’s century and Michelle Botha’s impressive figures of 3 for 11—demonstrated their determination in the tournament. This victory marked the UAE’s second consecutive win, putting them in a strong position to progress to the Super Three stage of the qualifiers. Despite the unusual circumstances, Raza reminded the audience: “This extraordinary series of events shouldn’t overshadow our captain’s century, our opening partnership of 192, and the remarkable performance by our bowlers.”