Abu Dhabi, September 15, 2025: Half-centuries from skipper Muhammad Waseem and opener Alishan Sharafu powered the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to a competitive 172-5 against Oman in their Asia Cup clash at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Opting to bat first, UAE openers gave their side a flying start. Waseem and Sharafu combined smart rotation with aggressive stroke play to put up a 50-run opening stand. By the halfway mark, UAE were cruising at 81 without loss.
Sharafu reached his 10th T20I fifty before being bowled by Jiten Ramanandi for 51 off 38 balls, ending the 88-run partnership in the 11th over. Asif Khan followed soon after, trapped by Samay Shrivastava for just two, leaving UAE briefly pegged back at 92-2.
Waseem, however, held the innings together. The UAE skipper notched his 24th T20I half-century and, in the process, became the first UAE batter to cross 3,000 career runs in the format. Alongside Mohammad Zohaib, he added 49 runs for the third wicket before Zohaib departed for a brisk 21 off 13 deliveries, including two fours and a six.
In the death overs, Harshit Kaushik provided the late fireworks, clearing the ropes twice in successive balls in the 19th over to propel UAE past 150. Waseem eventually fell in the penultimate over for a well-made 69 off 54 balls, featuring six fours and three sixes.
Kaushik remained unbeaten on 19 from eight balls, while Dhruv Parashar added a run as UAE closed at 172-5 in their allotted 20 overs.
For Oman, Ramanandi led the attack with 2-32, while Hassnain Shah and Shrivastava chipped in with a wicket apiece.
