Afghanistan Edge UAE in Final-Over Thriller to End Tri-Series on a High
Sharjah: Afghanistan held their nerve in a tense final over to secure a four-run win against the UAE in the last group match of the UAE T20I Tri-Series, despite a late onslaught from Asif Khan.
Set 171 to win, the UAE needed 16 runs off the final over, and Asif threatened an upset with a four and a six off the first two balls. However, Afghan pacer Fareed Ahmad kept his composure, conceding only two more runs before dismissing Asif off the last delivery to seal the game.
Earlier, Afghanistan posted 170 for 4, with stand-in skipper Ibrahim Zadran (48) and opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (40) leading the way. Despite losing three wickets in quick succession after a 98-run opening stand, late hitting from Karim Janat pushed the total to a competitive score.
For the UAE, skipper Muhammad Waseem (44) gave them a flying start, while Asif Khan’s unbeaten 40 off 25 balls nearly stole the game. But disciplined bowling from Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad in the middle overs turned the momentum back in Afghanistan’s favor.
The win means Afghanistan head into the Asia Cup with confidence, while the UAE finish the tri-series winless but with plenty of positives to take forward.