UAE earn last-gasp win over Bangladesh in second Sharjah T20

A captivating knock by skipper Muhammad Waseem has guided the United Arab Emirates to a two-wicket win over Bangladesh in the last over and secure their first-ever victory in T20s over the Tigers.

Chasing an imposing 206 to win, a 107-run opening stand between Muhammad Zohaib (38), who was dropped in the slips on the first ball, and Waseem (82) laid a sturdy foundation for the hosts at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday.

As the duo began milking boundaries and sixes every other over, debutant Nahid Rana’s first ball in the format was not one to be proud of as he produced a no-ball, before bowling another one in the free hit that went for six.

Bangladesh were wayward in the field, missing run-out opportunities and bowling no-balls in key moments, and the UAE took full advantage of that.

After Waseem brought up their 100 in style off Rishad Hossain (2-28) with a six over long-on, Tanvir Islam gave the breakthrough by taking out Zohaib with a full-length delivery.

Although Rishad took out Rahul Chopra (2) moments later, Waseem pressed on by clubbing Tanzim Hasan (1-55) for two sixes and a four. But Shoriful Islam (2-34) sent him packing with a slower ball to breathe life back into the Tigers.

Waseem smashed 9 boundaries and 5 sixes in his 42-ball onslaught.

Asif Khan (19) fell as Nahid’s maiden wicket in the form of the game, but two balls later, Bangladesh fielders made an absolute meal of a catch popped up by Saghir Khan (8). The hosts were still 45 runs away from the coast with 24 balls and 6 wickets in hand.

With the crowd at the edge of their seats, Sagir holed out to Rishad after clubbing a six before Aryansh Sharma (7) followed in the same manner off Nahid in the next over, leaving the UAE needing 29 runs in the last two overs.

The penultimate over by Shoriful was an eventful one as Alishan Sharafu (13) fell to a slower first ball, before Dhruv Parashar (11) and Haider Ali (15) blasted a boundary and a six to push ahead. But the next ball, Shoriful conceded 5 overthrows to let UAE post 17 runs in the over.

Bangladesh conceded a six off the first ball of the final over, and, albeit picking up Parashar, Tanzim gave away a no ball in the and the batters cropped up a double off the free hit where Towhid Hridoy picked up the ball but held it way to long, allowing the hosts to register the win with a ball to spare.

Earlier, Bangladesh crossed the 200-run mark for the seventh time in T20 internationals, thanks to some explosive batting from Tanzid, Hridoy and Jaker Ali.

Tanzid set the tone early with a fiery 59 off just 33 balls to give his team a flying start. Hridoy anchored the middle overs with a brisk 45 from 24 balls, while Jaker provided a late flourish, hammering 18 off just 6 deliveries.

Returning to the top of the order, skipper Litton Das spent considerable time at the crease but struggled for timing and made 40 off 32 balls.

Replacing Parvez Hossain Emon in the XI, Najmul Hossain Shanto contributed a quick 27 from 19 deliveries.

For the UAE, left-arm pacer Muhammad Jawadullah was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 45. Debutant pacer Saghir Khan chipped in with 2 for 36.

After the game, Litton said: “Any loss is hard, but we still batted well on this wicket. Wicket was pretty good, when they batted, they had the favour of dew. We missed a bit in the fielding and the middle-overs bowling.

“When you play on this type of ground, which is small and with dew a factor, you have to calculate and plan (as bowlers). What Rana did before (his final over), we were expecting more from him. You can have good days and bad days. We will sit and talk and come back.

Waseem said, “I have no words. I am very happy we beat Bangladesh. Very happy with the performance. I was giving hope to everyone that we can chase this score because we know the conditions (here).

“We were hoping to chase it, and I tried to play my natural game. (On the batting order changes) Nothing special, but we are just going with the game plan.”