• Home
• /
• Cricket

Saqib Shines as UAE Stun Afghanistan

But in the end, Saqib displayed his priceless ability to perform under pressure as the UAE registered a thrilling two-wicket win over their rivals.

The UAE, chasing a target of 218, were given a mighty scare by the Afghans. But Saqib, who played a fabulous knock of 141 against Bhutan on Thursday, was once again inspirational as he guided his team to a narrow victory with an unbeaten 93. Saqib may have failed to reach the magic three-figure mark, but it was an invaluable innings which helped his team take a sweet revenge. After all, the Afghans beat the UAE recently in the World Twenty20 qualifiers.

On Friday, chasing the target, UAE kept losing wickets at regular intervals and yet Saqib never lost his composure. With his fine stroke-play and clever running between the wickets, he kept the hopes alive with the help of the tailenders who simply refused to give up. And UAE finally clinched the win in 49.1 overs.

“It was one of the most satisfying innings of my cricketing career,” a delighted Saqib told Khaleej Times on Friday.

“It was a very difficult match, you know. Afghanistan are a really good side. They have just qualified for the World Twenty20 Championships. So we are really pleased with the victory.”

Saqib admits that the Afghans fought till the very last. “Yeah, it was a very tight match. We kept losing wickets and the pitch was too not a great one to bat on. So it was a very difficult match. But I always knew I had to stay positive at one end. That’s what I did and luckily for me, our tail also helped me.”

After two victories, the team is now confident of doing well in the tournament.

“Our next match is against Malaysia. So yes, we are feeling confident of our chances in the tournament.

“We have done well in this tournament before. So if we can play positive cricket, we will have a very good tournament again,” Saqib added.

Afghans make 217

Abdul Rehman (30) was the other main contributor with the bat for the UAE, while S. Zadran (3-28) was the pick of the Afghan bowlers.

Earlier, Afghanistan, batting first, made a fighting 217 for seven in 50 overs. R. Ahmadzai (55) was the top-scorer with a fine half-century, while S. Shenwari (50) and M. Shahzad (34) also did well for their team. S. Silva (3-29) was the best bowler for the UAE.

On Thursday, UAE registered a stunning 437 run victory over Bhutan in their first match. Saqib hit a brilliant century as UAE made a massive 510/5 in 50 overs. In reply, Bhutan were all out for a paltry 73.

Brief scores: UAE beat Afghanistan by two wickets. Afghanistan 217 for 7 in 50 overs (M. Shahzad 34, R. Ahmadzai 55, S. Shenwari 50 not out; S. Silva 3-29) UAE 218 for 8 in 49.1 overs (A. Rehman 30, S.Ali 93 not out; S. Zadran 3-28).

Chittagong Tigers Survive a Scare

SHARJAH - Chittagong Tigers beat Top Sports Noakhail by 17 runs in thrilling match at the PCL T20 Bashundhara Cup at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, a press release said.

Batting first, Chittagong Tigers made 159 for 7 in 20 overs.

Mahmudullah (55 not out, 30 balls, 4 Fours and 4 sixes) was the top scorer for the winners.

Shamsu Rahman (38, 29 balls, 3 fours and one six) also played well. Nasir Hossain (3/11) was the pick of the bowlers.

In reply, Top Sports Noakhali could only manage 142 for 9 in 20 overs. Towfiq Umer (49, 41 balls, 8 fours and 1 six) tried his best but his efforts were not enough to give his team a win.

In other matches, Pirates of Chittagong beat Bengal Tigers by three runs, while Brother Union Club beat Mohammden Sporting Club by eight wickets.

Brief scores:

Chittagong Tigers beat Top Sports Noakhail by 17 runs. Chittagong Tigers 159 for 7 in 20 overs (Mahmudullah R. 55, Shamsu Rahman 38, Khurram Manzur 18; Nasir Hossain 3/11, Rana Naveed 2/20) Top Sports Noakhali 142 for 9 in 20 overs (Towfiq Umer 49, Sakib Al Hasan 20; Alauddin Babu 2/18, Enamul Haque 2/25)

Pirates of Chittagong beat Bengal Tigers by three runs. Pirates of Chittagong 185 for 8 in 20 overs (Aftab Ahmed 57, Alok Kapali 51, Rony Talukder 37; Inder Seker Reddy 2/25, Rajesh Sharma 2/32) Dhaka Sports Club 122 all out in 19.4 overs (Hemant Kumar 53, Devendra B 46, S. Rana 33; F. Reza 1/30).

Brother Union Club beat Mohammden Sporting Club by eight wickets. Mohammedan Sporting Club 108 all out in 18.4 overs (Shoaib Malik 22, Faisal Hossain 21, Aden Blizzard 16; Azhar Mahmood 5/18) Brothers Union Club 111 for 2 in 15.5 overs (Imran Nazir 63, Nazimuddin 22, D. Mahammud 1/13).