UAE stunned New Zealand in the second game of the three-match T20I series at Dubai (DSC) on Saturday (19 August), which created history in international cricket. It was the first time an ICC Associate Member or a non-Test playing side defeated New Zealand in any form of international cricket.
Last Thursday (17 August), UAE and New Zealand had a thrilling series opener where Tim Southee-led experimental Blackcaps claimed a 19-run victory to lead the series by 1-0.
In the second game, the hosts levelled the series with a dominating seven-wicket victory.
New Zealand: 142/8 in 20 overs; Aayan Afzal Khan outshined Mark Chapman’s battle
After winning the toss, the UAE captain Muhammad Waseem sent the visitors to bat first on Saturday. The Blackcaps were once struggling at 65/5. Among the first four batters, only the opener Chad Bowes (21) reached the double-digit figure at that time.
Later, Mark Chapman played a vital role in setting up a challenging total for New Zealand. The former Hong Kong international cricketer scored 63 off 46 balls (three fours and three sixes) as the visitors scored 142/8 in 20 overs. James Neesham also had a vital role with the bat by scoring 21 runs in 17 balls with two fours.
Among the UAE bowlers, the 17-year-old left-arm spinner Aayan Afzal Khan shinned with three wickets (4-0-20-3). Also, the 24-year-old left-arm pacer Muhammad Jawadullah bagged two wickets (4-0-16-2).
UAE: 144/3 in 15.4 overs; skipper Muhammad Waseem and Asif Khan strongly guided the hosts to an unforgettable win
In reply, New Zealand captain Tim Southee provided a fine start with a wicket in the first over by dismissing the opener Aryansh Sharma for a three-ball duck. However, another opener and captain Muhammad Waseem, and the next batters fought strongly to secure a historic win for the country.
Waseem scored 55 runs off 29 balls (four fours and three sixes), while Vriitya Aravind scored 25 runs in 21 balls (three fours and two sixes). Also, Asif Khan smashed with 48 not out in 29 balls (five fours and only six), and Basil Hameed remained not out on run-a-ball 12 runs. Those batting performances helped UAE to chase the 143-run target in 15.4 overs.
In that historic T20I match, young spinner Aayan Afzal Khan won the Player of the Match award for his excellent bowling performance.
Historic day in international cricket
It was New Zealand’s first international cricket loss against an ICC Associate Member. Meanwhile, after Ireland and Afghanistan, Blackcaps became the third ICC Full Member to suffer a defeat against UAE.
