Follow UsThe United Arab Emirates (UAE) finally got over the line against Bangladesh in the second T20I, on May 19 (Monday), chasing down 206 in Sharjah. UAE went into the clash on the back of a defeat in the first T20I, where they were thoroughly outplayed.
When Bangladesh were batting, it looked like a familiar tale would repeat itself, as the openers - Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das - put on a 90-run partnership. Towhid Hridoy’s 24-ball 45 propelled Bangladesh further, with a late cameo from Jaker Ali (18 off 6) ensuring that the Tigers got themselves over the 200-run mark.
Not only did the UAE have to set a record (their highest run chase), they also had to cross the mental hurdle against Bangladesh, a side that they had never beaten before across any format. But in adversities such as this, their hero - Muhammad Waseem - stepped up, smashing a 42-ball 82 to keep UAE single-handedly in the run-chase for the longest time.
However, with 12 runs required off the final over, they needed someone to take them over the line, and that someone was the southpaw Haider Ali, who scored a six-ball 15. But it wouldn’t have been entirely possible for Ali if not for the six from Dhruv Parashar in the final over, as UAE scripted a historic win.
It was their highest run chase in T20Is, and their first-ever win over Bangladesh across formats.