Azmatullah Omarzai stars as Afghanistan beat UAE to keep Super Eight hopes alive

Azmatullah Omarzai claimed four wickets and smashed an unbeaten 40 as Afghanistan defeated United Arab Emirates by five wickets in a crucial T20 World Cup Group D clash, keeping their Super Eight hopes alive and confirming South Africa's qualification

New Delhi: All-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai delivered a match-winning performance, claiming four wickets before smashing an unbeaten 40 to guide Afghanistan to a five-wicket victory over United Arab Emirates in their must-win T20 World Cup clash here on Monday.

The win opened Afghanistan’s account in the tournament and kept their slim Super Eight hopes alive in Group D. It also confirmed South Africa’s place in the next round as they occupy the top spot with six points, followed by New Zealand in second place and Afghanistan in third place. UAE slipped to fourth place.

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Omarzai led the bowling effort with superb control of line and length, returning figures of 4 for 15 from his four overs as UAE posted 160 for 9, built around Sohaib Khan’s well-crafted 68 off 48 balls.

In reply, Afghanistan suffered early setbacks as the in-form Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) and Gulbadin Naib (13) departed cheaply, leaving them at 41 for 2 at the end of the Powerplay.

Ibrahim Zadran steadied the innings with a composed 53 off 41 balls, striking six boundaries and a six to anchor the chase. After his dismissal, Darwish Rasooli (33) and Omarzai combined to steer Afghanistan home, reaching 162 for 5 in 19.2 overs.

The chase briefly grew tense when Zadran holed out to Muhammad Waseem off Muhammad Arfan, who had earlier removed Sediqullah Atal with a fine delivery.

With 61 required from 36 balls, Rasooli counter-attacked with two fours and a six, adding 43 runs off 26 deliveries with Omarzai before being bowled by Junaid Siddique.

Needing 17 off the final two overs, Omarzai shifted gears, launching Muhammad Jawadullah into the stands before an inside edge raced to the boundary, reducing the equation to four runs in the final over, which Afghanistan completed without further trouble.

Earlier, Sohaib stitched together an 84-run partnership for the third wicket off 57 balls with Alishan Sharafu (40 off 29) to rebuild the innings after early setbacks.

However, Afghanistan clawed back with a cluster of wickets in the middle overs, leaving UAE at 121 for 6 in the 16th over.

Sohaib added another 31 runs with Haider Ali before Omarzai returned to dismiss him in the 19th over, completing his fourth wicket.

Omarzai was rewarded for mixing his line and length as he struck early, removing last match hero Aryansh Sharma for a four-ball duck.

Skipper Muhammad Waseem (10) tried to push the pace, hitting two boundaries before being trapped in front by Mujeeb Ur Rahman as UAE slipped to 13 for 2.

UAE’s batters handled the Afghan spinners well during the Powerplay, punishing loose deliveries. Sharafu struck two boundaries off Mujeeb as UAE raced to 55 for 2 before launching Rashid Khan for a six to bring up the half-century stand.

However, Ziaur Rahman, who came in for left-arm quick Fazalhaq Farooqi, and spinner Noor Ahmad were expensive.

Rahman conceded 16 runs in his opening over, with Sohaib striking three boundaries.

Noor too endured a tough spell, being hit for two sixes by Sohaib over cover and midwicket as UAE progressed to 93 for 2 in 10 overs.

Mujeeb then provided a timely breakthrough with Sharafu holing out to Ibrahim Zadran at long off. Omarzai then struck twice in his third over, cleaning up Syed Haider (13) and inducing an edge from Harshit Kaushik (0).

Sohaib brought up his half-century off 37 balls with a six, but Muhammad Arfan (0) fell while attempting a reverse hit. Omarzai returned to dismiss Sohaib in the 19th over to complete a fine bowling performance. PTI