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Afghanistan registered a commanding 38-run win over hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the third match of the UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Afghanistan’s batting brilliance sets the tone for victory
Asked to bat first after UAE won the toss, Afghanistan overcame an early setback when opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed cheaply for 7. However, the innings soon found stability through Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran, who stitched together a vital partnership.
Atal’s 54 off 40 balls was a mix of composure and aggression, featuring 4 fours and 3 sixes. Zadran played the anchor’s role beautifully, accelerating at the right moments to score 63 from 40 deliveries with three fours and four sixes. Their 84-run stand set the foundation for a big total.
The finishing touches came from the lower middle order. Azmatullah Omarzai struck 20 off 12 balls, while Karim Janat’s explosive cameo of 23 off 10, including two fours and two sixes, powered Afghanistan to 188/4 in 20 overs.
For UAE, the bowlers toiled hard. Muhammad Rohid Khan (2/34) and Muhammad Saghir Khan (2/52) picked up wickets but conceded heavily, while others struggled to contain Afghanistan’s aggressive stroke play.
UAE’s chase derailed by Afghan spin
Chasing 189, UAE needed a strong start, and they got exactly that from their openers. Waseem Muhammad blazed away to 67 off 37 balls, hammering 4 fours and six towering sixes, giving the hosts a glimmer of hope. Alongside him, Rahul Chopra provided solidity with a fluent 52 off 35 balls. The duo kept UA’’s chase alive in the powerplay and beyond, frustrating the Afghan seamers.
However, once Afghanistan introduced spin, the game completely shifted. Sharafuddin Ashraf (3/24) broke the dangerous stand, dismissing set batters and tightening the screws in the middle overs. Skipper Rashid Khan (3/21) proved unplayable, mixing sharp googlies with subtle variations to trigger a collapse. From a promising position at 76/2, UAE crumbled under pressure, managing only 150/8 in 20 overs.
The rest of the batting lineup offered little resistance. Asif-Khan Lala, Harshit Kaushik and Dhruv Parashar all fell cheaply, leaving the chase in tatters once the top order departed. Mohammad Nabi (1/9 in 2 overs) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (1/24 in 3) provided key support to the spin twins.
UAE vs AFG: Key performers
- Ibrahim Zadran (AFG): Anchored Afghanistan’s innings with a fluent 63 off 40.
- Sediqullah Atal (AFG): Gave early momentum with 54 from 40 balls.
- Waseem Muhammad (UAE): Counter-attacked with a blazing 67, keeping his side in the hunt.
- Rahul Chopra (UAE): Supported with 52 off 35, but lacked middle-order support.
- Sharafuddin Ashraf (AFG): Match-winning spell of 3/24, shifting momentum decisively.
- Rashid Khan (AFG): Three wickets for just 21 runs, sealing the contest in Afghanistan’s favour.
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