• UAE defeated Afghanistan by 11 runs in second T20I of the three-match series at Sharjah.

  • UAE pacer Ali Naseer was adjudged Man of the Match for his blistering spell of 4/24.

Twitter reactions: UAE levels the series with a thrilling win over Afghanistan in 2nd T20I
UAE vs AFG, 2nd ODI (Image CC- Twitter)

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In the captivating turn of events, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged victorious over Afghanistan in the thrilling second T20I held at Sharjah on Sunday, securing a hard-fought win by a narrow margin of 11 runs. The triumph showcased the host team’s resilience and determination and levelled the series in the ongoing Afghanistan’s tour of UAE. With the contest now poised at 1-1, the contest has become even more intense, setting the stage for exciting and closely contested games ahead.

Openers shine for UAE

Opting to bat first, UAE witnessed an impressive display of batting prowess, led by opener Muhammad Waseem, who wasted no time in finding the boundaries early on. He and Aryan Lakra forged a commendable 72-run partnership, with Waseem contributing a notable 53 runs, featuring four boundaries and three maximums. Qais Ahmad disrupted their flow by dismissing Waseem and then Vriitya Aravind for two runs.

Despite setbacks in the middle order, Lakra stood resilient, scoring an unbeaten 63 off 47 balls, supported by Akif Raja‘s 13 runs. The formidable performance from the openers propelled UAE to a competitive total of 166/7, ultimately proving to be a challenging target for their guests.

Afghans fall short of their target

Chasing a respectable target, the Afghan openers set an impressive tone, notching up 47 runs in 5.2 overs, with Hazratullah Zazai contributing a solid 36 runs in 27 balls and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the centurion from the last game, adding 21 runs in 17 balls. However, the momentum shifted as wickets started falling at regular intervals. Mohammad Nabi emerged as a standout performer, scoring a resilient 47 in 27 deliveries and steering the game into the final stages.

Despite his efforts, the task became challenging, with 20 runs needed in the last over and 12 required off the final two balls. Nabi’s dismissal saw the team bundled out for 155 in 19.5 overs. UAE pacer Ali Naseer showcased exceptional bowling masterclass, finishing with figures of 4/24, including a maiden in his 4-over spell, and was adjourned Player of the Match.

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Here’s how Twitter reacted:

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AVIRAL SHUKLA
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