In a spectacular display of cricketing prowess, captain Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu delivered electrifying half-centuries, paving the way for the UAE’s dominant 42-run victory over Oman in a pivotal Asia Cup clash. This thrilling win, bolstered by Junaid Siddique’s impressive bowling performance of 4 for 23, keeps the UAE’s Super Four aspirations burning bright.
Waseem was the steadfast anchor of the UAE innings, crafting a superb 69 runs from just 54 deliveries and falling only in the final over. Complementing his effort, opening batsman Sharafu overcame a tentative start to smash a dynamic 51 off 38 balls. Their combined efforts propelled the UAE to a formidable total of 172 for five after being put in to bat first.
This substantial total proved insurmountable for Oman. Looking ahead, a win for the UAE against Pakistan on Wednesday, coupled with an anticipated Indian victory over Oman in their final group match, would secure the hosts a coveted spot in the continental tournament’s next stage.
Ultimately, Oman’s chase fell short, as they were bowled out for 130 runs in 18.4 overs.
Early breakthroughs came courtesy of Siddique, who swiftly dismissed Oman’s openers, Aamir Kaleem (2) and captain Jatinder Singh (20), leaving them reeling at a mere 23 runs. Left-arm spinner Haider Ali then compounded Oman’s woes, snatching two quick wickets and plunging them into deep trouble at 50 for five by the seventh over.
Aryan Bisht and Vinayak Shukla attempted to steady the ship, guiding Oman to 74 for five at the halfway mark of their innings. Despite their efforts, the 38-run sixth-wicket partnership between Bisht and wicketkeeper Shukla was broken when left-arm pacer Muhammad Jawadullah (2/18) clean-bowled Bisht in his very first over. Bisht, attempting an ambitious inside-out shot over cover, left his stumps exposed, paying the price. Jawadullah continued his impressive spell by claiming the wicket of Jiten Ramanandi (13), and Siddique further boosted his wicket count, steadily propelling the UAE towards an inevitable victory.
Earlier in the match, left-arm medium pacer Ramanandi had provided Oman with a brief respite, finishing with respectable figures of 2 for 24 in his four overs, stemming the brisk flow of runs from Waseem and Sharafu. Following a subdued opening over, the audacious Sharafu broke free, piercing a tightly set off-side field for a boundary off Shah Faisal. Meanwhile, Shakeel Ahmed initially maintained a disciplined line, keeping the scoring rate conservative at the other end. Sharafu, keen to assert dominance, repeatedly charged down the pitch, finding the boundary rope twice off Faisal – first with a lofted shot over mid-on, then with a powerful cut shot against a short, wide delivery.
UAE captain Muhammad Waseem, renowned for his aggressive style and knack for big hitting, quickly joined the boundary fest. He plundered three fours in Aamir Kaleem’s opening over, as the 43-year-old left-arm spinner struggled to contain the flow of runs, conceding 14 in his spell. Upon returning to strike, Sharafu unleashed a flurry of three consecutive fours against medium pacer Hassnain Shah, persistently stepping out of his crease to create space and find the gaps. The urgency displayed by the opening pair ensured the UAE reached an impressive 50 runs within the powerplay.
Desperate for a wicket, Oman’s skipper Jatinder Singh brought in left-arm seamer Jiten Ramanandi, only for Sharafu to greet him with a confident boundary through the off-side. Undeterred, Jatinder introduced leg-spinner Samay Shrivastava, but Sharafu and Waseem remained unfazed, each launching a six to maintain the home team’s aggressive momentum. Fortune favored Waseem when Hammad Mirza grassed a catch in the deep after misjudging the flight of the ball, allowing the UAE to reach 83 without loss at the ten-over mark. Waseem received yet another reprieve immediately after the drinks interval, with Shakeel being the fielder to rue the missed opportunity. Nevertheless, Ramanandi soon delivered a moment of joy for Oman, clean-bowling Sharafu. The batsman, once again attempting to make room and drive through the off-side, completely missed the ball, sending his off-stump cartwheeling.
It’s worth noting that both Oman and UAE had previously suffered defeats in their respective opening matches of the tournament, falling to Pakistan and India.