UAE vs Bangladesh T20 Series : In a jaw-dropping display of audacity, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) pulled off their greatest T20I heist yet, hunting down a mammoth 206 to floor Bangladesh by five wickets and level the three-match series 1-1. The Sharjah Cricket Stadium, a cauldron of roaring Emirati fans, witnessed history as the hosts eclipsed the highest-ever chase by an associate nation against a full-member side, leaving even seasoned cricket pundits scrambling for superlatives.
Waseem’s Blitzkrieg Sets Stage for Bedlam
Bangladesh, unbeaten against the UAE since 2016, appeared set to extend their dominance after posting 205/5, powered by Tanzid Hasan’s fiery 59 (33 balls) and Towhid Hridoy’s late flurry (45 off 24). But UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem, wielding his bat like a scimitar, tore the script to shreds. The 30-year-old opener carved a career-defining 82 off 42 balls, his innings peppered with eight fours and four sixes, including a savage pull off Taskin Ahmed that nearly shattered a hospitality suite window.
“I told the boys, ‘This pitch is our backyard – we know how to chase here,’” Waseem said post-match, still catching his breath. “But to actually do it against Bangladesh? Unreal.”
The Chase: A Rollercoaster of Guts and Glory
The UAE’s pursuit began at warp speed: 68/0 in the powerplay, with Waseem and Muhammad Zohaib (38 off 29) treating Bangladesh’s pace attack like net bowlers. Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Nahid Rana leaked 18 runs each in their opening spells, their lines erratic under the Sharjah floodlights.
Even after Zohaib fell and Waseem holed out to deep midwicket in the 13th over, the middle order refused to blink. Asif Khan (19 off 12) and Alishan Sharafu (13 off 9) chipped in, but it was Haider Ali’s ice-cool 15* (6 balls) that flipped the finale. With 29 needed off 12 deliveries, the 24-year-old smacked Shoriful Islam for back-to-back boundaries in the penultimate over, including a audacious scoop over fine leg that left Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto clutching his head in disbelief.
Bangladesh’s Agony: Missing the Fizz
The Tigers’ decision to rest Mustafizur Rahman for the IPL backfired spectacularly. Shoriful’s 19th over – 17 runs conceded – encapsulated their death-bowling woes. “We lost composure when it mattered,” admitted Shanto, his voice tight. “Credit to UAE – they outplayed us under pressure.”
Earlier, Tanzid and Litton Das (40 off 32) had laid a strong foundation, but Hridoy’s late acceleration (three sixes in his 24-ball 45) seemed sufficient. Until it wasn’t.
What’s Next?
The series decider on May 21 promises fireworks. UAE, buoyant and fearless, now dare to dream of a maiden series win over a Test-playing nation. Bangladesh, meanwhile, face a reckoning – and a scramble to plug their leaking death bowling.
Stat of the Day: UAE’s 206 chase is the 7th-highest successful T20I run-chase overall. Not bad for a team ranked 17th in the world.
As Waseem’s men danced on the outfield to “Halalalalala” blaring from the stadium speakers, one truth became clear: in T20 cricket, pedigree bows to passion. Sharjah’s desert sands have a new legend.
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