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SHARJAH: Ibrahim Zadran’s half-century and Rashid Khan’s record-breaking three-wicket haul helped Afghanistan romp to a 38-run victory over UAE in the third fixture of the T20I tri-series here on Monday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
In pursuit of the 189-run target, UAE could only muster 150 runs for 8 in their allocated 20 overs.
UAE had a similar start to Afghanistan, losing their opener Muhammad Zohaib in the second over. Despite the wicket, the hosts batted briskly, with the captain Muhammad Waseem remaining the core aggressor.
Afghanistan made a comeback with Ethan D’Souza’s wicket in the ninth over as the scorecard read 76-2 in 8.1 overs. D’Souza made 12 off 11 deliveries.
The wicket opened the door for Afghanistan as dangerous Waseem departed soon after. Waseem top-scored with 67 off 37 balls, hitting six maximums and four boundaries.
After his departure, Afghanistan continued to take wickets and UAE ended short despite Rahul Chopra’s valiant half-century.
Rahul scored an unbeaten 52 off 35 balls with the aid of three fours and an equal number of sixes.
For Afghanistan, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Rashid Khan were the standout bowlers, both picking up three wickets.
Earlier, after being put into bat first, Afghanistan posted 188 for 4 in their 20 overs, thanks to Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran’s half-centuries.
After losing opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (7) in only the third over, Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran stitched an 84-run stand, which took Afghanistan to a 100-run mark.
The partnership ended in the 13th over with Atal’s wicket, who departed after scoring 54 off 30 balls, an innings featuring three sixes and four boundaries.
The wicket stemmed the flow of runs with UAE striking again as Darwish Rasooli could only manage to add 10 runs to the team’s total.
As a result, Afghanistan were reduced to 120-3 in 14.2 overs. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Zadran continued on the other end and reached his half-century in the process.
Meanwhile, UAE tried to stem the flow of runs, resulting in Zadran’s wicket. He departed after making 63 off 40, with the aid of four maximums and three fours.
With Afghanistan 160-4 in 17.4 overs, Azmatullah Omarzai and Karim Janat paired up and provided their team with a late flourish, eventually powering to a massive total.
Omarzai hit two sixes in his 20 off 12, whereas Karim Janat made 23 off just 10 deliveries, striking two maximums and two fours.
For UAE, Muhammad Rohid and Saghir Khan managed to pick up two wickets each.
Playing XIs
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (capt), Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fazalhaq Farooqi
UAE: Muhammad Waseem (capt), Muhammad Zohaib, Asif Khan, Rahul Chopra (wk), Ethan D’Souza, Harshit Kaushik, Dhruv Parashar, Saghir Khan, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid, Junaid Siddique
READ: WATCH: Pakistan train ahead of Afghanistan clash in tri-series
