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NEW DELHI: Fast bowler Junaid Siddique claimed five wickets before an unbeaten 74 from wicketkeeper Aryansh Sharma guided the United Arab Emirates to a five-wicket victory over Canada in their Group D clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Friday.
Chasing 151 under lights at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, the U.A.E. reached 151 for five with two balls to spare to secure two crucial points in the tournament.
Canada, who elected to bat first, struggled to build sustained partnerships after early setbacks. Openers Yuvraj Samra and captain Dilpreet Bajwa fell cheaply as Siddique struck twice in the opening overs to reduce them to 19 for two.
Navneet Dhaliwal attempted to stabilise the innings with 34 from 28 balls, but wickets at regular intervals kept the scoring in check. The innings was anchored by all-rounder Harsh Thaker, who scored 50 off 41 deliveries, including three sixes, reaching his half-century in 40 balls.
Thaker added 50 runs for the fourth wicket with Dhaliwal to lift Canada past 90, but Siddique returned to dismantle the middle and lower order. He finished with figures of five for 35 from his four overs, removing Thaker, Shreyas Movva and Saad Bin Zafar in the closing stages as Canada posted 150 for seven.
In reply, U.A.E. captain Muhammad Waseem fell early, caught in the deep off Kaleem Sana, but Sharma anchored the chase with composure. He brought up his half-century off 41 balls, mixing calculated aggression with sharp running between the wickets.
Canada’s left-arm spinner Saad Bin Zafar threatened to turn the match, claiming three wickets for 14 runs, including Alishan Sharafu, Mayank Kumar and Harshit Kaushik, to leave U.A.E. wobbling at 66 for four in the 13th over.
However, Sharma found an able partner in Sohaib Khan. The pair added 84 runs for the fifth wicket, shifting momentum decisively. Sohaib struck 51 from 29 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes, and reached his half-century in just 28 deliveries.
With the target within reach, Sohaib was dismissed in the penultimate over, but Sharma remained unbeaten to guide his side home, finishing with six fours and three sixes in a match-winning knock.
The victory hands the United Arab Emirates two points in Group D, their maiden win while Canada are yet to their account after two matches.
Summarised Scorecard:
Canada 150/7 (20 overs) – Harsh Thaker 50 (41), Navneet Dhaliwal 34 (28); Junaid Siddique 5-35, Muhammad Jawadullah 1-16
United Arab Emirates 151/5 (19.4 overs) – Aryansh Sharma 74* (53), Sohaib Khan 51 (29); Saad Bin Zafar 3-14
U.A.E. won by 5 wickets (with 2 balls remaining)
