UAE vs OMA | UAE break six-match losing streak against timid Oman to get on board in Asia Cup

Asked to bat first, United Arab Emirates openers Alishan Sharafu and Muhammwas Waseem got off to a scratchy start against the new ball as a brilliant spell by Shakeel Ahmed saw him concede just four runs in his two overs. Unfortunately, the spinner found little support at the other end as Sharafu began the counterattack with two boundaries off Faisal Khan jn the fourth over before Muhammad Waseem upped the ante with three boundaries the next over. Sharafu matched his skipper's tally in the final over before the powerplay's end, taking the score to a handsome 50/0 at the end of six. The duo showed no signs of stopping even once the field spread, and Oman did themselves no favours with a couple of dropped sitters, propelling the score to 83/0 at the halfway mark. Sharafu brought up a 37-ball fifty soon after but had his stumps uprooted by Jiten Ramanandi the very next ball to finally provide the visitors some respite. Ensuing batter Asif Khan did not last long either and a slump in scoring rate followed, with just 20 runs coming between overs 10 and 14. Waseem finally broke the boundary drought with a resounding hit off Samay Shrivastava to register a 41-ball half-century, spurring namesake Zohaib at the other end to go on the charge with a four and six against Shakeel. The duo added 49-runs for the third wicket off just 29 balls before Harshit Kaushik provided the final touches with 18 runs off the penultimate over, pushing the score to 172/5 despite Waseem falling for a 54-ball 69 with three balls to go in the innings.

In response, Oman faltered early with Aamir Kaleem throwing his hands at the ball in the first over only to find a dving Kaushik. Nevertheless, skipper Jatinder Singh tried to impose himself o nto the game with three back-to-back fours but the fireworks did not last long as Junaid Siddique sent his stumps flying with an off-pace delivery to pick up his second wicket. Haider Ali struck Wasim Ali plumb with his very first ball before Muhammad Rohid dispatched Hammad Mirza as the visitors found themselves reeling on 41/4 with the powerplay done. Faisal offered hopes of some resistance with a ferocious hit off Haider but was sent walking just three balls later, summing up the story of Oman's chase. Aryan Bisht and Vinayak Shukla saved some face by stitching together a 38-run stand at slightly quicker than run-a-ball but by the time Muhammad Jawadullah struck timber to send back the former for a 32-ball 24, the equation already read a dauntind 85 off 42 deliveries. Siddique took his tally to four scalps in the 16th over, including the wicket of Shukla after a 17-ball 20, to practically end proceedings before a brilliant run-out in the 19th sealed a 42-run win for the hosts.

That was scary and funny same time!

Poor batting order from Oman!

Can be played much better!

No comments!

Good record!

Ohh nice!

Good one!

They lost again!

Cricket is an emotion!

Yeah that's true!