Afghanistan Scores Big Against UAE in T20I Tri-Series

SHARJAH: Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran delivered impressive half-centuries, enabling Afghanistan to achieve a substantial score against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The match was the third of the T20I tri-series, held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday.

After being asked to bat first, the squad, captained by Rashid Khan, posted a total of 188/4 in their 20 overs. This was largely due to a solid second-wicket partnership forged by Atal and Zadran.

Afghanistan’s innings began unevenly when Rahmanullah Gurbaz (seven), the aggressive opening batter, was caught out by Muhammad Rohid early on. He departed on the fourth over’s first ball with the score at only 16.

Following this setback, Zadran joined Atal, and together they shifted the momentum in Afghanistan’s favor. The pair contributed 84 runs for the second wicket, achieved in just 55 balls.

This significant partnership ended when Atal was dismissed by Saghir Khan in the 13th over. He scored 54 runs from 40 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes.

Zadran then participated in a brief 20-run partnership for the third wicket with Darwish Rasooli, who managed 10 runs from seven balls before Rohid took his wicket.

Azmatullah Omarzai, a top-order batter and all-rounder, then partnered with Zadran to advance Afghanistan’s score beyond 150 runs. Their 40-run partnership concluded with Zadran’s dismissal in the 18th over.

Zadran was Afghanistan’s highest scorer, making 63 off 40 balls, including three fours and four sixes.

After Zadran’s exit, Omarzai and Karim Janat added an undefeated 28-run partnership, ensuring Afghanistan finished strongly, despite Junaid Siddique conceding only four runs in the final over.

For the UAE team, Saghir and Rohid each claimed two wickets. The other bowlers, including Junaid, who was one wicket away from achieving 100 T20I wickets, were unsuccessful.