DUBAI: Aayan Afzal Khan’s astonishing figures of 3/20, followed by skipper Muhammad Waseem’s half-century powered the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to upset New Zealand by seven wickets in the second T20I.
Set to chase a modest 143-run total, the UAE comfortably accumulated 144 runs for the loss of just three wickets with 26 balls to spare.
UAE captain Muhammad Waseem led his side from the front in the run chase with an anchoring half-century.
The hosts, however, had a contrasting start to their innings as they lost opener Aryansh Sharma (0) in the first over.
Following an early blow, Waseem joined forces with Vriitya Aravind and added 40 runs to the total before Kyle Jamieson got rid of the latter at the stroke of the powerplay.
Aravind scored 25 off 21 deliveries, hitting three boundaries and two sixes.
Coming out to bat at number four, Asif Khan soon strengthened UAE’s command on the match with belligerent hitting amid his 56-run partnership with Waseem, who finally perished in the 11th over.
Waseem struck four boundaries and three sixes on his way to a 29-ball 55.
Meanwhile, Asif continued his domination over New Zealand bowlers and steered his side to a historic victory in the 16th over.
Asif scored an unbeaten 48 off 29 deliveries, hitting five boundaries and a six. Whereas, Basil Hameed scored 12 not out.
Jamieson, Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee could one wicket apiece for New Zealand.
Put into bat first, the touring side got off to a dismal start to their innings as Jawadullah castled Tim Seifert in the third over with just 14 runs on the board.
Opening batter Chad Bowes was joined by Mitchell Santner at the crease and the pair knitted a brief 13-run partnership before Aayan Afzal Khan halted their recovery with twin strikes in the fifth over.
The left-arm pacer castled Santner and Dane Cleaver in successive deliveries to leave New Zealand reeling at 27/3.
The visitors then endured a major setback soon after the powerplay when Aayan Afzal Khan struck again to remove Bowes, who batted cautiously for his run-a-ball 21.
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Mark Chapman then stood up for New Zealand after Bowes’s departure and put on a brief 17-run partnership with Cole McConchie before the latter perished in the 12th, leaving his side reeling at 65/5.
Chapman then received subtle support at the other in the form of James Neesham.
The pair batted sensibly for their 53-run partnership until Neesham miscued one off Ali Naseer in the 17th over.
The all-rounder smashed two boundaries on his way to a 17-ball 21.
Meanwhile, Chapman dominated the UAE bowlers at the death before finally perishing in the final over.
He struck three boundaries and as many sixes on his way to top score for New Zealand with a 46-ball 63.
Aayan Afzal Khan led the bowling attack for the UAE with 3/20 in his four overs, followed by Muhammad Jawadullah’s 2/16.
Besides them, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Zahoor Khan and Naseer made one scalp each.