Australia Register Seven-Wicket Win Against UAE In One-Off T20I

Opener D'Arcy Short smashed an unbeaten half-century as Australia registered a seven-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in a lone Twenty20 International in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Short struck eight boundaries as he finished with 68 not out off 53 balls to help Australia chase down a modest 118-run target in 16.1 overs. After winning the toss, UAE opted to bat first but were restricted to 117 for the loss of six wickets. Short overcame the loss of skipper Aaron Finch (one) and Chris Lynn (20) as Australia tuned up for their three-match T20 series against Pakistan starting in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Nathan Coulter-Nile and Billy Stanlake finished with identical bowling figures of two for 20 as UAE lost wickets at regular intervals. The home team got off to a poor start, losing Ashfaq Ahmed for a duck in the first over of the match. Skipper Rohan Mustafa, too walked back without scoring as pacer Stanlake knocked over his stumps. Chirag Suri and Rameez Shahzad tried to steady the UAE innings but the former was dismissed by Coulter-Nile in the sixth over of the match. Post the initial setback, Rameez Shahzad and Shaiman Anwar played gritty knocks to take the team's total past the 100-run mark.

Anwar top-scored with 41 runs while Naveed remained unbeaten on 27. Anwar hit three boundaries and two sixes during his 44-ball knock while Naveed also smashed two sixes and two boundaries in his 13-ball innings.

While chasing, Australia lost Finch and Lynn inside the powerplay overs but Short, at the other end played fluently, ensuring victory for the team with 23 balls to spare. 

The 23-year-old left-hander was adjudged man of the match for his fine 68-run knock.

Australia will now play a three-match T20I series against Pakistan scheduled to start from October 24. The first match will be played in Abu Dhabi while the second and third T20Is will be played on October 26 and 28 in Dubai respectively. 

Brief scores: UAE 117-6 in 20 overs (Shaiman Anwar 41, Mohammad Naveed 27; N. Coulter-Nile 2-20, B. Stanlake 2-20) vs Australia 119-3 in 16.1 overs (D. Short 68 not out, C. Lynn 20; Amir Hayat 2-26)

(With AFP inputs)

Topics mentioned in this article

Australia Cricket Team United Arab Emirates D'Arcy Short Aaron Finch Billy Stanlake Nathan Coulter-Nile Cricket