Afghanistan vs United Arab Emirates, Match 3 Match Summary

Right then, that’s all from this game. Next up in the UAE Tri-Nation Series is a clash between two rivals, Afghanistan and Pakistan, on Tuesday, 2nd September. The Men in Green have already beaten the Afghans once and will look to make it two in a row to seal their place in the final, while Rashid Khan and co. will be eager to strike back and strengthen their chances of making it to the final. The first ball is set to be bowled at 3 pm GMT, but as always, you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

The victorious captain of Afghanistan, RASHID KHAN, is all smiles and comes up for a chat. He begins by saying that you can't have more than 3-4 spinners in a team. Mentions that Noor Ahmad and Allah Mohammad are also in the side who are top class spinners for Afghanistan cricket. Adds that he and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are the two frontline spinners, and appreciates Sharafuddin Ashraf for performing well for the side. Admits that it was a tough decision for him to play Sharafuddin over Noor, just because of his hitting abilities down the order. On the bowling plans, Rashid details that they tried to keep things simple. Says the length is very important in and getting the ball to pitch in the right areas is the key which generates positive results for you. Rashid appreciates the batters for taking the responsibility and highlights that they went through a time early in the inning, but did not give away wickets easily. Appreciates the mindset with which Sediquallah and Ibrahim batted and also lauds the efforts from Karim Janat and Omarzai towards the backend. Highlights that batting in the death overs was the area of concern for them but feels happy to get good results this time. Is ecstatic and says wins give you positivity. Humbly accepts that the last game against Pakistan was a wake-up call for them and ends by saying they will bring their best game against a tough team like Pakistan.

The captain of United Arab Emirates, MUHAMMAD WASEEM, says that they did not bowl well in the last ten overs and gave away a few too many runs. Adds that they were batting well till 9-10 overs, but he reckons that they lost the game when they lost his wicket and Asif Khan's wickets in quick succession. Mentions that he is not entirely happy with his knock, as he wanted to finish the game. Says that they will take the learnings from this game and hopefully do better in the next games.

Afghanistan's SHARAFUDDIN ASHRAF is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fantastic 3-for. Firstly, he thanks to all the people who came in to support in difficult times (citing the recent earthquake that shook Afghanistan). Says that they have got good spinners and calls all of them magicians. Adds that he tries to read the conditions and what the batters are trying to do. Details that in T20s, you have to believe in your abilities to beat the batters. Cites that self-belief is the most important. On being asked whether this is his first POTM award, he shares that he got one on his debut game. Thanks Rashid Khan for trusting him and supporting him in difficult times.

Presentation Time...

Afghanistan started well with Fazalhaq Farooqi striking early, but they were soon put under pressure by the UAE skipper’s onslaught. However, once the field restrictions eased, the spinners brought them back into the contest. Rashid Khan showcased his brilliance, grabbing a three-fer and becoming the highest wicket-taker in T20I history. Sharafuddin Ashraf matched him with three key wickets of his own, as the duo dominated the middle overs and turned the game on its head. Nabi chipped in with one as well, and Afghanistan sealed a commanding 38-run win.

Earlier in the game, Afghanistan overcame a slow start to post a commanding total, thanks to superb fifties from Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran. Azmatullah Omarzai and Karim Janat then added the finishing touches with some powerful hitting in the death overs. For United Arab Emirates, Muhammad Rohid and Saghir Khan picked up a couple of wickets each, but their attack proved expensive at the back end, allowing the Afghans to seize the momentum late in the innings.

United Arab Emirates got off to a flying start, with their skipper leading the charge and sending the ball to all parts of the ground. They raced past 50 in just five overs and were well ahead of Afghanistan after the Powerplay. Muhammad Waseem found some support from Rahul Chopra and continued his aggressive approach, bringing up a fine fifty in just 25 balls. However, with the asking rate climbing, his dismissal came at the wrong time, sparking a dramatic collapse. The hosts crumbled from 90/2 to 122/8, and the chase completely fell apart. Chopra fought hard and remained unbeaten on 52, but with little support from the other end, it was never going to be enough.

Afghanistan bounce back in style! They get off the mark in this Tri-Nation Series and have now put United Arab Emirates in a do-or-die situation, where they’ll likely need to win their remaining two matches. The hosts once again showed fight in the chase, but their over-reliance on their skipper remains a major concern - something they’ll need to address quickly.

SIX! FIFTY FOR RAHUL CHOPRA BUT A WIN FOR AFGHANISTAN! A bit short in length, on top of the sticks, angling into the batter. Rahul Chopra crouches a bit and pulls it flat behind deep square leg. 4th T20I half century for Rahul Chopra. AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 38 RUNS!

Straight up... lands safe! Fuller delivery, on the middle stump line. Rahul Chopra clears the front leg and swings across the line, to hoist it over deep mid-wicket but mistimes it off the toe end. The ball pops high up and drops in thereabouts of mid-wicket. Two taken.

Azmat spears in a full toss, on middle. Rahul Chopra misses to whip that across to the leg side and is struck on the thigh pad.

WIDE! Beyond the tramline, outside off. Left alone. Wide called.

FOUR! This has turned out to be a good individual inning for Rahul. Full and on middle, angling away. Rahul Chopra shuffles and scoops it over short fine leg for a boundary. Moves to 44, does Chopra. A hit away from his 4th T20I fifty.

FOUR! Pulled away through the gap! Short and pace on, around off. Rahul Chopra swivels and pulls it behind square on the leg side for a boundary at deep backward square leg.

A surprise bounce from the good length, on top of off. Rahul Chopra looks to work it square towards point, but the extra bounce beats his angled bat.

Who will bowl the last over? It will be Azmatullah Omarzai.

Takes pace off again, a bit too full and on middle. Junaid clears out the front leg and works it towards sweeper cover.

Pace off again, across the batter, on a length. Rahul Chopra cuts it square on the off side for a single at deep backward point.

SIX! Rahul flexes his muscles now! Short and pace off, on middle and off. Rahul Chopra waits for it and pulls it flat and behind deep square leg for a six. Chopra moves to his 30s.

Back of a length, outside off, Rahul taps it to the off side.

Another short delivery, on the leg stump, a slower one again. Rahul Chopra pulls it off the inner half to deep backward square leg and calls for two instantly. The fielder from deep square leg moves to his right, picks the ball, but throws it a bit wayward to the keeper, allowing Chopra to skate through for the second.

Slower short ball, on leg, Rahul Chopra swivels and mistimes the pull shot to short fine leg.

Fazalhaq Farooqi replaces Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Nice loop on it, full and on middle and leg. Junaid Siddique takes a giant stride out and blocks it straight back.

Darts it full and on the stumps. Blocked off the front foot.

Tossed up, full and on off, Rahul Chopra drills it down to long off for one.

Fuller one, on middle and spinning away. Junaid Siddique gets on the front foot and tries to drive it through cover, but slices it off the outer half, up in the air and the ball lands in front of backward point. A single taken.

Darted in, full and on middle. Junaid Siddique carves it off the inner half to the right of the bowler.

Junaid Siddique comes out to the middle now.