CHENNAI: In a thrilling Group D encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, UAE won the toss and elected to bat first against New Zealand, posting a challenging total of 173 for 6 in their 20 overs. Captain Muhammad Wasim anchored the innings with a superb unbeaten 66 off 45 balls, featuring 3 sixes and 4 fours, steering his team out of early trouble.
UAE’s innings got off to a shaky start, losing Aryansh Sharma for just 8 runs with the score on 12. But Wasim, partnering with Alishan Sharafu, rebuilt the innings through a vital 107-run stand for the second wicket. Sharafu played a fluent knock of 55 off 47 deliveries, smashing 2 sixes and 5 fours before departing.
After Sharafu’s exit, Wasim combined with Mayank Kumar for a quickfire 40-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Kumar contributed 21 off 12 balls, including a six and two fours. Lower down the order, Harshit Kaushik made 2 and Shoaib Khan scored 7 as UAE added crucial runs. The team benefited from 14 extras, pushing the total higher.
New Zealand’s bowlers struck back with Matt Henry leading the way, claiming 2 wickets for 37 runs in his 4 overs. Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Mitchell Santner, and Glenn Phillips each picked up one wicket. The Kiwis used as many as seven bowlers in a bid to contain the Associate side.
This marks UAE’s opening match in the T20 World Cup, and they will be eyeing a famous upset against a New Zealand team that started their campaign with a comprehensive win over Afghanistan. With 174 to chase, the pressure is now on the Black Caps to deliver.