The United Arab Emirates became the first associate nation to defeat New Zealand in any format. They achieved this feat during the 2nd T20I at Dubai International Stadium, Dubai on 19th August 2023.
UAE captain Muhmmed Waseem won the toss and decided to field first again. It was an ideal start for the host as Muhammad Jawadullah shattered the stumps of Tim Seifert. Tim Southee sent Mitchell Santer at number 3. Aayan Afzal Khan created havoc by dismissing Santer and Dan Clever off successive deliveries to leave New Zealand in big trouble. At the end of the first six overs, Kiwis scored 37 for 3.
Soon after the field restrictions, Afzal Khan got rid of Chad Bowes stumped to leave Kiwis under immense pressure. Mark Chapman and Cole McConhie steadied the ship before McConhie was dismissed by Faraazuddin to leave New Zealand in deep trouble at 65 for 5.
Mark Chapman and James Neesham steadied the ship with singles and hitting boundaries to keep the pressure on UAE bowlers. Chapman impressed reaching his fifty off 35 deliveries. Zahoor Khan got the big wicket of Neesham with an easy catch by substitute EC D Souza. Chapman and Neesham added 53 runs for the 6th wicket. It was a disciplined bowling effort by UAE bowlers as they restricted NZ to 142 for 8 in 20 overs. For UAE, Aayan Afzal Khan took 3 for 20, Jawadullah 2 for 16, one each for Ali Naseer, Zahoor Khan and Faraazuddin.
United Arab Emirates’ first victory over New Zealand in T20I
Chasing 143 runs to win, UAE lost wicket off the very first ball as Aryansh Sharma was dismissed by New Zealand captain Tim Southee. It could have been worst for the hosts as Muhammed Waseem was dropped on 5 runs. Vriitya Arvind and Waseem showed intent in putting pressure on NZ bowlers. Jamieson struck dismissing Arvind with a lovely delivery. Arvind and Waseem added 40 runs for the 2nd wicket. At the end of the first six overs, UAE scored 44 for 2.
Waseem kept the momentum going for UAE with boundaries at regular intervals. Asif Khan joined with Waseem and did not allow NZ bowlers to settle. Waseem reached a half-century off just 27 balls and kept UAE on course for a famous win. Waseem and Khan added 56 runs for the 3rd wicket.
Asif Khan put on an excellent display of hitting while Basil Hameed kept the strike rotating. Asif completed the job with a boundary to help UAE register a famous 7-wicket win with 26 balls to spare. Asif and Basil Hameed added unbeaten 48 runs for the 4th wicket. For his 3 for 20, Aayan Afzal Khan was named the player of the match. The series is levelled at 1-1 with the third and final T20I match to be played on 20th August at 7.30 PM.
United Arab Emirates looked good to win the first T20I match but the experience of Tim Southee came to the fore with 5 wickets and helped NZ register 19 runs win on 17th August 2023.
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