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UAE defeated New Zealand in the second T20I match© AFP
Veteran Indian cricket team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was all praise for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after they registered a historic victory over New Zealand in the second T20I encounter on Saturday. He pointed out how franchise cricket has slowly been decreasing the gulf between top sides and associate nations before mentioning Rashid Khan and Afghanistan’s meteoric rise on the global stage. “UAE beating New Zealand is a big achievement and it’s also showing us what franchisee cricket has succeeded in doing. There is hope for the next generation cricketer coming from countries that aren’t mainstream test nations and that’s good news for the game. When @rashidkhan_19 broke into the IPL, Afghans weren’t a feared cricketing nation at world cups but now no one can refuse that fact. The future may well see other nations having representations at the IPL and turning the fortunes of the game in their respective countries. Well done UAE,” he wrote.
United Arab Emirates captain Muhammad Waseem made 55 to set up a seven-wicket win over New Zealand on Saturday in Dubai as the hosts levelled the three-match T20 series.
Set 143 to win after again choosing to bowl first, the UAE lost opener Aryansh Sharma without scoring before Waseem and Vriitya Aravind (25) steadied the innings.
UAE beating New Zealand is a big achievement and it’s also showing us what franchisee cricket has succeeded in doing.
There is hope for the next generation cricketer coming from countries that aren’t mainstream test nations and that’s good news for the game.
When @rashidkhan_19…
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) August 20, 2023
Waseem struck four fours and three sixes in his 29-ball knock, which ended when he skied left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner to extra cover.
Asif Khan finished off the job with an unbeaten 48 as he smacked New Zealand skipper Tim Southee for three boundaries in the 16th over to seal a famous victory with 26 balls to spare.
Mark Chapman‘s 63 was the standout contribution in New Zealand’s 142-8.
Opener Chad Bowes and Jimmy Neesham, who both scored 21, were the only other batters to reach double figures for the tourists.
Aayan Afzal Khan ripped through New Zealand’s top order, the left-arm spinner bowling Santner and Dane Cleaver in successive balls before having Bowes stumped to record figures of 3-20.
New Zealand won the first match of the series by 19 runs on Thursday. The series finale is at the same venue on Sunday.
(With AFP inputs)
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