Tri-series: Afghanistan Set UAE 171 To Chase For Consolation Win

The batting unit of Afghanistan eventually discovered its rhythm when Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran set a solid foundation against the UAE during the sixth T20I of the tri-series in the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Choosing to bat first, Afghanistan posted 170-4 in their allotted 20 overs with a 98-run opening stand in 11 overs. Gurbaz, who had been quiet early in the series, made 40 off 38 balls and hitting 3 fours and 1 six, and once over the fence.

His stand-in skipper and partner, Ibrahim Zadran, batted fluently on 48 out of 35 deliveries with three fours and three sixes. The duo made the attempt worthwhile, and Afghanistan was given a boost as the UAE struck back with fast wickets.

Haider Ali was the pick of the bowlers, who knocked out the two openers during the 12th over. He concluded his four overs with a remarkable 2/23 and assisted his team in limiting the pace of Afghanistan during the mid-overs.

Although Afghanistan lost wickets at consistent intervals, the middle order helped the team to cross the mark of 170, and the UAE was left with a hard task of staying in the game.

Playing XIs:

• Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (c), Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Abdullah Ahmadzai

UAE: Muhammad Waseem (c), Muhammad Zohaib, Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra (wk), Harshit Kaushik, Haider Ali, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Rohid, Junaid Siddique, Simranjeet Singh