Afghanistan Triumphs Over UAE in Twenty20 Match
In a commanding display of cricket, Afghanistan's team bested the UAE in a Twenty20 match on December 29th, continuing their winning streak against the side.
Charlie Kennedy
- 2023-12-30
- Updated 02:33 AM ET
(NewsNibs) - Afghanistan's cricket team asserted dominance over the United Arab Emirates in a Twenty20 encounter, clinching a 72-run victory. Opting to field first, the UAE captain's decision allowed the Afghan team to set an imposing target. Throughout their 20 overs, Afghanistan lost only three wickets to post a formidable 204 runs.
Gurbaz Hits Maiden T20 Century
The standout performances for Afghanistan came from Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz; Zadran's contribution of 59 runs was vital before he fell to Mohammad Jawad Allah. Gurbaz stole the show with a blistering 100 off 52 balls, marking his entry into the record books with his first Twenty20 century. Their efforts with the bat set the stage for an uphill chase for the UAE.
UAE Falls Short in Run Chase
The response from the Emirati team was lackluster in the face of a steep target. They managed to score 131 runs in their allotted 20 overs with Aravinda being the top scorer at 70 runs. Afghanistan's bowlers kept a tight rein on the proceedings, with Fazalhaq Farooqi leading the way with two wickets. His teammates Naveen-ul-Haq and Qais Ahmad supported the effort, claiming a wicket each. For the UAE, Mohammad Jawad Allah alongside Junaid Siddique and Aayan Afzal each took a wicket, but their efforts were insufficient in altering the course of the game.
Series Heads to Sharjah
The victory adds to Afghanistan's impressive record against UAE, with this win marking their eighth over the side in T20 matchups, against two losses. The teams are slated to meet again for the second Twenty20 on December 31st in Sharjah, offering the UAE a chance for redemption following their previous defeats, including a 109-run loss in a friendly match on December 25th.
