NEW DELHI: Afghanistan emerged triumphant in a nail-biting T20 International series decider against the UAE, clinching a four-wicket victory at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
The win in the third and final match allowed Afghanistan to claim the series 2-1.
Afghanistan faced a moment of uncertainty when they found themselves six wickets down, still requiring 20 runs to reach the target. However, Najibullah Zadran showcased remarkable composure, steering Afghanistan to a hard-fought victory.
In pursuit of a target of 127, openers Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz set a solid foundation by swiftly accumulating 30 runs in 3.1 overs. Although Gurbaz was dismissed by Junaid Siddique, skipper Ibrahim Zadran's arrival steadied the innings.
The game took a turn after the dismissals of Zadran and Zazai, and despite a middle-order collapse, Najibullah Zadran's unbeaten 28 off 13 balls proved crucial in securing the win.
Earlier in the match, UAE won the toss and opted to bat.
Naveen ul-Haq's pace created trouble for the UAE batters, resulting in a struggle to build a substantial total.
Despite the challenges, UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem fought valiantly with a knock of 27, and Ali Naseer contributed 21, helping UAE reach a total of 126/9, which fell short of a competitive score.
The series showcased thrilling encounters, with Afghanistan initiating proceedings with a comprehensive 72-run victory in the first match. UAE responded strongly, leveling the series and clinching an 11-run win in the second game.
Afghanistan's resilience in the final match ensured they claimed the series victory and ended the T20I series on a high note.
(With inputs from ANI)
