UAE clinched a historic T20I series victory against Bangladesh, winning the third match by seven wickets. After a mixed series, with Bangladesh winning the first match but losing the next two, UAE capitalized on Bangladesh’s batting collapse to secure their first series win against a Test-playing nation. Bangladesh struggled to post a competitive total, having been reduced to 84-8 during their innings. The series also cast doubts on Bangladesh’s form as they prepare for upcoming competitions.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) made headlines on Wednesday after securing a historic T20I series win against Bangladesh in Sharjah. The victory came after an exciting final match, where UAE triumphed by seven wickets. This series win marks Bangladesh’s second loss against an Associate Nation, following their recent T20 series defeat to the USA last year, giving them a significant task ahead of the T20 World Cup.
In the series-deciding match, Bangladesh won the first game convincingly by 27 runs, but they stumbled in the second match, losing by two wickets. This third match, which was added later to the schedule, proved pivotal for UAE as they completed the series with a comfortable victory, thanks in large part to Alishan Sharafu and Asif Khan, who scored 65 not out and 45 not out, respectively. The UAE crossed the finish line with five balls remaining.
Batting first, Bangladesh struggled right from the start. They lost their first wicket quickly, and soon found themselves in deep trouble at 84-8. Jaker Ali Anik and Hasan Mahmud staged a late recovery, putting on a crucial 44-run partnership for the ninth wicket, which brought Bangladesh’s total up to 162-9. Despite that, their total felt inadequate against a determined UAE.
As the innings progressed, Bangladesh’s top order faltered under pressure. Dhruv Parashar made a significant impact with the ball, dismissing first-match star Parvez Hossain Emon for a golden duck. The left-arm spinner Haider Ali, who was particularly effective, took three crucial wickets including that of Liton Das and Towhid Hridoy in quick succession. His performance, coupled with the contributions from Matiullah Khan and Saghir Khan, set the tone for UAE’s successful chase.
In a match where Bangladesh’s batting line-up suffered notable collapses, they couldn’t recover from early setbacks. With the lower-order batsmen also falling cheaply, it appeared that the pressure from the UAE bowlers was overwhelming. For Bangladesh to end with a decent total, late runs were essential, especially in the last over where Hasan and Shoriful added significant runs. However, it just wasn’t enough to stave off defeat.
The clash was not only about pride for the UAE, looking to establish their name in T20 cricket but also a chance for Bangladesh to reaffirm their strength. Unfortunately, the Tigers deceived their own chances with subpar performances. While the pressure fluctuated throughout the match, it was clear that UAE performed as a cohesive unit.
Previously, the series was designated as a two-match series, but the Emirates Cricket Board extended it at the request of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, leading to this deciding game. Bangladesh came into this match after losing crucial players, making changes that didn’t seem to yield any positive outcome.
This loss has led to questions about Bangladesh’s cricketing strategy ahead of major international events. Meanwhile, the UAE’s triumph exemplifies their improving cricketing abilities and elevates their standing within the T20 format. In the end, both teams learned valuable lessons as they move toward their next challenges.
The UAE’s T20I series win against Bangladesh not only highlights their growing cricketing prowess but also exposes vulnerabilities in the Bangladesh side. This series marked another disappointing chapter for Bangladesh, further questioning their prep ahead of the T20 World Cup. The outcome showcases the evolving landscape of international cricket, particularly the potential of associate nations like UAE. For Bangladesh, it is a wake-up call to reassess and regroup.
Original Source: www.thedailystar.net
