UAE secured a historic T20I series victory over Bangladesh, winning the third match by seven wickets in Sharjah after Bangladesh lost two out of three matches. The series illustrates UAE’s progress in international cricket, overcoming previous defeats against Test-playing nations and highlighting a robust performance throughout the series. Bangladesh’s struggle continues after losing to an associate nation for the second time after their earlier defeat to the USA last year.
In a significant achievement for UAE cricket, the national team clinched a historic T20I series victory over Bangladesh on Wednesday in Sharjah. The decisive match saw Bangladesh succumb to a seven-wicket defeat, marking their second series loss against an associate nation. Earlier in the series, Bangladesh had won the first match by 27 runs but faced a setback in the second, losing by two wickets. The pressure was on them, and they ultimately failed to secure the series after the third match, which was added late to the schedule.
In the final match, Alishan Sharafu dominated the field with an unbeaten score of 65, supported by Asif Khan, who remained not out at 45. This formidable duo ensured that UAE achieved a comfortable victory with five balls to spare, highlighting their superiority throughout the series. Bangladesh’s bowlers, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Sakib, and Rishad Hossain, each managed to take a wicket, but the team failed to put up a fighting total that could challenge UAE’s momentum.
Bangladesh had previously faced a similar fate last year against the USA, losing a T20 series 2-1 just before the T20 World Cup. In the final T20I match, Jaker Ali Anik played a crucial role by scoring 41 runs off 34 balls, and Hasan Mahmud’s contributions were vital in lifting Bangladesh’s score to a moderate 162-9. The team endured a rocky start, finding themselves at 84-8 before some late fireworks brought them closer to a more respectable total.
Bangladesh crumbled early in their innings as UAE bowlers, particularly Dhruv Parashar and Haider Ali, unleashed a spectacular performance against the top-order batsmen. Parvez Hossain Emon was dismissed for a golden duck, and Bangladesh’s fortunes quickly went downhill as Haider claimed three wickets for just seven runs. With vital wickets falling at regular intervals, Bangladesh found themselves in dire straits at 57-5 within the first seven overs.
This match had previously been scheduled as a two-match series, but it was extended into a thrilling final contest following a successful proposal from the Bangladesh Cricket Board. This decision not only added excitement but also offered the UAE a chance to create history against a Test-playing nation. Considering Bangladesh’s higher ranking, expectations were weighed heavily against them to perform and assert their dominance.
Changes in the playing XI were noted for both teams prior to the match. Bangladesh made three adjustments to overcome their two-wicket loss in the second game, while UAE also reshuffled their squad, making two changes. Despite the challenging conditions and the high stakes, UAE emerged victorious, thereby securing their first-ever series win against a Test-playing nation, illustrating a significant step forward in their cricketing journey.
UAE’s historic achievement in securing a T20I series victory against Bangladesh marks an important milestone for their cricketing aspirations. The series concluded with a thrilling final match, highlighting UAE’s ascent in the T20 format, especially after overcoming a strong Bangladeshi team. The performance of both teams showcases the competitive nature of international cricket, and this series win for UAE is a testament to their growth and potential as they continue to challenge established cricketing nations.
Original Source: www.thedailystar.net
