The UAE went down to Afghanistan by eight wickets with 16 balls to spare to record their second defeat in the World T20 Qualifier tournament at the Grange in Edinburgh yesterday.
The Afghanistan wicketkeeper-opener Mohammed Shahzad set the platform for Afghanistan with a blistering 37-ball 74 and left his captain Asghar Stanikzai (44) and Samiullah Shenwari (30) to take them over the line with an unfinished 69-run stand for the third wicket.
Mohammed Tauqir, the UAE captain, who slammed the “irresponsible batting” in their defeat to Scotland on Thursday, blamed “poor bowling and fielding” for this loss in which several catches were put down.
“It is a disappointing result for us because 160 was par on this wicket,” said the Emirati off-spinner.
“We did not bowl and field well. Afghanistan are a good side. We could have defended the score had we bowled in the right areas supported by the fielding. We need to look into our shortcomings.”
The UAE play the Netherlands next on Sunday, followed by matches against Canada, Kenya, and Oman in Group B.
The UAE could have put up a score in excess of their 164 for six after the start by openers Faizan Asif and Mohammed Shahzad.
Shahzad smashed a 28-ball 43 and Asif 28 off 19 to share a 63-run stand in 6.5 overs before the latter was caught at cover. Shaiman Anwar then chipped in a 25-ball 35.
The UAE’s good start was put in the shade by the power hitting of Afghanistan’s Shahzad, who won the man of the match award.
“The pitch was very good for batting,” he said.
“We had a plan for chasing these runs. Yesterday also we chased against Netherlands. No problem for us. I was waiting for the loose ball.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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