Afghanistan Seal Narrow 4-Run Win Over UAE Despite Late Fightback

Afghanistan pulled off a close four-run win against UAE in the last league match of the tri-series. Chasing 171, UAE started strongly with Alishan Sharafu and Muhammad Waseem firing boundaries in the PowerPlay, taking the score to 54/0. But once Noor Ahmad removed Sharafu for 27, Afghanistan turned the game around. The match came down to the final over, with UAE needing 17 runs. They smashed 12 from the first three balls, but Fareed Ahmad Malik kept his cool, delivering two dot balls and taking Asif Khan’s wicket on the last delivery, leaving the hosts winless and heartbroken.

Noor kept troubling the UAE batters, building pressure from one end. Waseem looked good and reached 44 before getting caught right after hitting a six. Muhammad Zohaib also fell soon after a couple of boundaries as Afghanistan kept striking at the right moments. Asif Khan came in but struggled badly against spin crawling to 7 off 13 by the 17th over.

Once pace returned, though, he found his touch, smashing 16 runs in the 18th over with two fours and a six, and then added another boundary in the 19th. Harshit Kaushik chipped in with a four and a six bringing the target down to 17 off the last over. With 5 needed off 3 balls, UAE looked close, but Fareed Ahmad Malik bowled brilliantly at the death to seal the win for Afghanistan.

Afghan Openers Give Flying Start with 98-Run Stand

Afghanistan put up 170/4 on the board, thanks to a solid 98-run opening stand between Ibrahim Zadran (48) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (40). UAE had chances to break the partnership early with a run-out and a catch, but they slipped up, and the Afghan openers made full use of it. They rotated the strike well, hit the loose balls, and brought up their fifty in the 8th over. Ibrahim then picked up the pace, smashing a few stylish shots, including a big six off Muhammad Farooq.

Gurbaz fell in the 12th over and Ibrahim followed right after, leaving two fresh batters at the crease. Mohammad Ishaq couldn’t get going, but Karim Janat played a lively knock of 28 off 14 with three sixes to lift the total. In the end, Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai added some handy boundaries that proved just enough for Afghanistan to edge past UAE in the thriller.

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