UAE registered a stunning win over New Zealand in the second T20I on Saturday to level the three-match series.
Limiting New Zealand to a total of 142/8, the home team’s bowlers, Aayan Afzal Khan, and Muhammad Jawadullah, exhibited exceptional performances, claiming 3 wickets for 20 runs and 2 wickets for 16 runs respectively. Building on this, the home team managed to win victory with five wickets to spare and 26 balls remaining, as they scored a total of 144/5 in 15.4 overs.
UAE Captain Muhammad Waseem played a vital part in this success, showcasing his leadership and batting prowess. His outstanding 55 runs off 29 balls helped the team’s success, exemplifying his ability to lead by example.
Waseem carefully began his innings, accumulating 16 runs off 13 balls, before turning into an aggressive gear. With four boundaries and three sixes, the opener promptly completed his fifty in just 27 balls, handing UAE a good start in their pursuit of 143 runs.
By the end of the powerplay, UAE stood at 44/2, with Vriitya Aravind delivering a strong 25 runs from 21 balls. However, Waseem’s dominance hadn’t really taken over by that point.
After the powerplay, Waseem’s intent became more obvious. He despatched Mitchell Santner for a boundary and followed it up with a booming six off Kyle Jamieson. Cole McConchie felt the brunt as well, allowing a four and a six, while Santner faced the wrath once again with a six that pushed Waseem to his fifty in just 27 balls.
Asif Khan demonstrated maturity alongside Basil Hameed, forging a tandem that added to New Zealand’s frustration. While victory wasn’t inevitable for UAE at that moment, their fifteenth over turned the tide as Asif Khan secured two boundaries off James Neesham.
In the prior innings, New Zealand had early setbacks, losing Tim Seifert in the third over, then Aayan Khan rapidly dismissed Mitchell Santner and Dane Cleaver in successive deliveries.
Amidst regular wickets falling, Mark Chapman stayed firm for New Zealand, scoring 63 runs off 46 balls. His innings were completed only in the last over, while James Neesham’s modest contribution of 21 runs from 17 balls hardly provided meaningful help.
Despite establishing a par total of 142, which proved to be their lowest against a non-Test playing team, New Zealand couldn’t stop the feisty UAE side.
