The United Arab Emirates (UAE) stunned Bangladesh in the second game of the extended three-match T20I series in a dramatic game. It was the first T20I win as well as the international cricket win for the UAE against Bangladesh.
UAE vs Bangladesh, 2nd T20I: UAE beat Bangladesh by 2 wickets
After the UAE chose to field first in Sharjah, Bangladesh, who were leading the series by 1-0, scored 205/5 in 20 overs. In reply, the UAE dramatically chased the target on the penultimate delivery of the match after losing eight wickets.
19th over drama
Despite getting a strong start in the chase with a 100+ opening partnership, the UAE were fighting hard in the late moments of the game. They needed 23 runs from the last eight balls, during which Shoriful Islam conceded a boundary and five runs in the final two balls of the 19th over. On the final ball of that over, UAE batters managed a close single, while Shoriful’s unnecessary attempted throw cost a boundary for Bangladesh, as there was no proper cover to save that throw. So, on that final delivery of that over, the UAE earned five runs.
Last over drama
Dhruv Parashar smashed a six on the second legal delivery of the final over, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib bowled him on the next ball. While the hosts needed three off two balls, Sakib delivered a chest-high full toss, which added a no-ball and free hit for the UAE.
On the next delivery, Bangladesh's fielding had chaos, as the UAE batters successfully ran two runs after Towhid Hridoy decided not to throw the ball quickly from the deep backward point, as the hosts had already completed one run and were looking for the second run opportunity. Realising the situation, the hosts' batters Haider Ali and Matiullah Khan went for the second run, and they were successful on their mission.
The UAE openers Muhammad Zohaib and captain Muhammad Waseem set a 107-run partnership for the first wicket. While Zohaib scored 38 off 34 balls, the skipper scored 82 off 42 balls with nine fours and five sixes. There were no other 20+ scores in that innings, but their four more double-digit scores proved to be enough for them, including Haider Ali’s heroic 15 not out off six balls.
Bangladesh innings started strongly
In Bangladesh’s innings, openers Tanzid Hasan and skipper Litton Das had a 90-run partnership. Hasan scored 59 off 33 balls (eight fours and three sixes), and the captain scored 40 off 32 balls. Also, Towhid Hridoy scored a valuable 45 off 24 balls with three fours and two sixes.
It wasn’t the first time that the UAE beat a Test-playing nation or an ICC Full Member in the T20I format. Previously, they defeated the ICC Full Members Ireland, Afghanistan, and most famously, New Zealand.
