United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan will play the third T20 of the ongoing Tri-series on 1st September at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Match Preview:
It looks like a thriller when Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates play each other in the ongoing T20I Tri-Nation Series tomorrow. The pressure is on because both teams are coming into this match having lost to Pakistan in their first two games. This meeting at Sharjah Cricket Stadium might be a game-changer for either team, as there are just two slots left in the final on September 7. They would return to contention and gain confidence for the remainder of the tournament with a victory here.
This competition is an opportunity for the UAE to demonstrate their ability to withstand more formidable opponents. They have a significant edge when they play at home because they are intimately accustomed with Sharjah’s circumstances, which may be advantageous. Muhammad Waseem, their captain, is essential to their strategy. He might set the tone for the remainder of the innings if he starts strong at the top.
In order to keep the UAE from collapsing under pressure, players like Rahul Chopra, Alishan Sharafu, and Asif Khan must play alongside him. Muhammad Jawadullah, Haider Ali, and Junaid Siddique will try to score early and contain Afghanistan’s aggressive top order with the ball.
However, Afghanistan will enter as the front-runner. They can overwhelm any team with their firepower, particularly in T20 cricket. Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz are two dangerous players at the top who have the ability to end the game during a powerplay. Mohammad Nabi’s versatility supports the middle order, providing the squad depth and balance. However, Afghanistan’s spin department is what really sets them apart.
The combination of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Nabi works well in places like Sharjah, where the pitch slows down and it’s difficult for batsmen to make runs in the second innings. Fazalhaq Farooqi’s left-arm pace is another factor that makes Afghanistan’s bowling assault appear both diverse and deadly.
Probable Playing XI:
United Arab Emirates:
Muhammad Zohaib, Muhammad Waseem (c), Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra (wk), Ethan DSouza, Dhruv Parashar, Saghir Khan, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah
Afghanistan:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik
Pitch and weather report:
Because of its fast outfield, small boundaries, and level surface, Sharjah Cricket Stadium has been a batting haven where batters can score a lot of runs. Because the odd ball might take a quick turn on this wicket, spinners have performed well while fast bowlers have struggled to bowl on it.
It will be a warm evening in Sharjah, and we expect to see a batting-friendly wicket where fast bowlers would have a tough time.
Head-to-head record:
Both of the sides have faced each other in 13 games thus far with Afghanistan winning 10 and UAE standing victorious in 3.
Prediction:
Afghanistan is favourite to win the game.
Where to watch:
MENA – Cricbuzz and Sportainment
Pakistan – A-Sports, Ten Sports and Tamasha.
Afghanistan – Lemar.tv
Bangladesh – Tapmad and TSports
India – Fancode and Euro Sport
North America – Willow
UK – ARY
Africa – Supersports
RoW – Sports Central
