Our Web Desk
DELHI: Azmatullah Omarzai produced a superb all-round display to guide Afghanistan to a five-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in their Group D clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday.
Omarzai claimed four wickets for 15 runs before returning to strike an unbeaten 40 off 21 balls, steering Afghanistan to 162 for five in 19.2 overs in pursuit of 161.
Afghanistan opted to field and struck immediately when Omarzai removed Aryansh Sharma in the opening over. Mujeeb Ur Rahman then trapped UAE captain Muhammad Waseem leg-before and dismissed Alishan Sharafu to leave the associate side under pressure.
Sohaib Khan rebuilt with composure, anchoring the innings with 68 off 48 balls, including six fours and four sixes. He shared a 84-run third-wicket stand with Sharafu (40) to lift UAE to 97 for three in the 12th over.
However, Afghanistan’s bowlers tightened their grip through the middle overs. Omarzai returned to dismiss Syed Haider and Harshit Kaushik in quick succession before adding another wicket to complete his four-wicket haul. Rashid Khan chipped in with one wicket and applied pressure through his four overs.
UAE slipped from 114 for three to 121 for six and, despite reaching 150 in the 19th over, finished on 160 for nine after a series of late run-outs.
Chasing 161, Afghanistan were jolted early when Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for a second-ball duck. Ibrahim Zadran steadied the innings with a measured 53 off 41 balls, striking six fours and a six to anchor the chase.
Gulbadin Naib and Sediqullah Atal made useful starts but fell as UAE’s bowlers fought to keep the contest alive. Muhammad Arfan claimed two wickets, while Junaid Siddique removed both Gurbaz and Darwish Rasooli to leave Afghanistan 140 for five in the 18th over.
With 21 required from 18 balls, Omarzai took control. The 25-year-old struck two fours and three sixes in a calculated assault, shifting momentum decisively. He found support from Mohammad Nabi, and the pair guided Afghanistan past the target with four balls to spare.
Summarised Scores
At Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
UAE 160/9 (20 overs)
(Sohaib Khan 68 (48), Alishan Sharafu 40 (31), Azmatullah Omarzai 4-15, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2-31)
Afghanistan 162/5 (19.2 overs), (Ibrahim Zadran 53 (41), Azmatullah Omarzai 40* (21), Muhammad Arfan 2-30, Junaid Siddique 2-23)
Result: Afghanistan won by 5 wickets (with 4 balls remaining)
