In a Group D game in New Delhi, Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl first and started well by taking two wickets in two overs to put pressure on UAE. But UAE have counter-attacked and got themselves to a decent position from where they can accelerate as the match now firmly lies in the balance. The game can go either way here.
Afghanistan strikes twice while UAE shows signs of counter-attacktiveness as well.Â
Put into bat first, Aryansh Sharma and captain Muhammad Waseem came out to bat for UAE while Azmatullah Omarzai had ball in hand for UAE. Sharma survived a scare as the edge of the ball did not carry to the keeper. But Omarzai in the end had his man as he dismissed Sharma for a 4-ball duck.
The length ball on the stumps that nipped back in as Aryansh was cramped for the pull shot. He got an inside edge on that and Gurbaz leaped forward to take the catch in front of him. The replays were checked as the ball just about carried to the keeper and OUT was given. Alishan Shafaru came out to bat next. Mujeeb had ball in hand from the other end.
Waseem nailed the straight drive past mid-on for a boundary. Waseem then slog swept the bowler to deep midwicket for a boundary. Mujeeb then fought back and got rid of Waseem for 10 off 6 balls with 2 fours to his name. Mujeeb bowled a length ball on the stumps that turns away from Waseem who was fending for an off-break. The bat beat his bat and the ball thud into the back pad. Appeal was given OUT. Waseem reviewed and Umpire’s call on hitting the stumps meant Waseem had to depart here. Sohaib Khan came out to bat next.
Omarzai continued as Sharafu pulled it away to the deep square leg fence for a boundary. Mujeeb continued as Sohaib took him on and sent it straight down the ground over long-off for the maximum. The batter was next adjudged LBW off Mujeeb but DRS saved him as the umpire reversed his decision.
Ziaur Rahman Sharifi came into the attack next. He started with a no ball and the free hit yielded a boundary for Khan as the ball went over covers for a boundary. Sohaib then got an outside edge that went away past the keeper for a boundary. Sohaib got a top edge that flew over fine leg for a boundary.
Mujeeb continued as Sharafu backed away and went straight down the ground over the bowler’s head for a boundary. The 50 came up for UAE in 5.5 overs Sharafu hit another boundary with an outside edge that flew through the point fielders. UAE reached 55/2 in 6 overs at the end of powerplay with Sharafu unbeaten on 22 off 16 balls while Sohaib Khan was unbeaten on 21 off 11 balls. We also paused for the Drinks Break.
Alishan Sharafu and Sohaib Khan drives UAE forward and into the ascendancy at the end of 10 overs.Â
Captain Rashid Khan came into the attack post the powerplay. Sharafu took him on and slogged it away over deep midwicket for the maximum. Noor Ahmad came into the attack next. Sohaib took him on as he first swept him behind square to the fine leg fence and then got the outside edge past the slips and away to the third man fence. Rashid continued and bowled a quiet over. Noor continued as Sharafu took him on by lofting the ball over long-off for the maximum.
Sohaib joined in the fun as he slog swept it away over deep midwicket for the maximum. At the end of 10 overs, UAE raced away to 93/2 in 10 overs with Sharafu unbeaten on 39 off 26 balls with Sohaib Khan unbeaten on 41 off 25 balls. UAE have their noses in front at this stage now.
What Lies Ahead.Â
So, UAE have recovered from the two early strikes and have gotten themselves to 93/2 in 10 overs at the halfway stage of the game. Afghanistan has bowled bad lines and lengths and have paid the price so far. UAE will be aiming to get close to 180 while Afghanistan will have to break this partnership to stem the flow of runs and keep the total under manageable levels.
An intriguing last 10 overs lay ahead of us.
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