Afghanistan beat United Arab Emirates by 101 runs in Sharjah ODI.

Afghanistan’s bowlers and batsmen combined to secure a comfortable victory in yesterday’s one‑day international, with opening partnership and middle‑order resilience offsetting a sluggish pitch that had slowed the run‑rate for both sides. The match, played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, saw Mohammad Nabi’s side post a total of 277 for five, propelled by a brisk 84‑run stand between the young all‑rounder Rahmanullah Gurbaz and veteran batsman Najibullah Zadran. The opposition, United Arab Emirates, were bowled out for 176, handing Afghanistan a 101‑run win that further consolidates their position in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2.The opening overs were a study in patience, with Afghanistan’s openers, Gulbadin Naib and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, navigating a green‑topped wicket that offered seam movement and variable bounce..

After a cautious start that saw only 18 runs from the first ten overs, Naib accelerated with a deft flick through the covers for a quick 23, setting the tone for a partnership that would later prove pivotal. Gurbaz, unflappable at the crease, added a composed 46 before falling to a well‑timed inswinger from UAE’s left‑arm spinner, Zahoor Khan.Afghanistan’s middle order capitalised on the platform laid by the openers, with Najibullah Zadran and Hazratullah Zazai forging a crucial 79‑run stand. Zadran, who has been in prolific form throughout the league, displayed a range of strokes, driving through mid‑wicket and pulling short deliveries with confidence..

Zazai, known for his explosive power‑hitting, contributed a quickfire 31 off 22 balls, ensuring the run‑rate remained healthy despite the pitch’s tendency to slow after the halfway mark. Their partnership was broken when Zadran was caught behind off the bowling of Mohammad Naveed, but by then Afghanistan had already crossed the 150‑run threshold.It was at this juncture that the pair of Ahmadzai and Rashid entered the fray, each bringing a different skill set that proved invaluable on a surface that was beginning to take its toll on the ball. Mohammad Nabi’s decision to promote both players—Mohammad Nabi’s right‑handed all‑rounder Zia Ahmadzai and the leg‑spinning specialist Gulbadin Rashid—was a calculated gamble that paid dividends..

Ahmadzai, known more for his economical bowling, showed a surprising flair with the bat, dispatching a couple of loose deliveries to the boundary and adding a brisk 27 before being trapped lbw by a full‑length delivery from UAE’s pacer, Mohammad Naveed.Rashid, meanwhile, adopted a more aggressive approach, targeting the weaker links in the UAE lineup. His 38‑run knock was marked by a series of well‑timed pulls and sweeps that sent the ball racing to the fence. Rashid’s ability to rotate the strike kept the scoreboard ticking, and his partnership with Ahmadzai added valuable runs that lifted Afghanistan’s total beyond the 250‑run mark..

The duo’s contribution was particularly significant given that the pitch had begun to deteriorate, with cracks appearing that made timing the ball increasingly difficult for the batting side.Afghanistan’s innings concluded at 277 for five in the allotted 50 overs, a score that reflected both the depth of their batting order and the strategic use of their all‑rounders. The innings featured three half‑centuries, with Gurbaz, Zadran and Rashid each crossing the fifty‑run barrier, showcasing a balanced effort that combined aggression with prudent shot selection. The final overs saw Afghanistan’s lower‑order batsmen, including the veteran bowler Mujeeb Ur Rahman, add quick runs, ensuring that the total remained competitive even as the wickets fell at regular intervals.The chase for UAE began under overcast conditions, and the team’s top order struggled to find rhythm against a disciplined Afghan bowling attack..

Opening bowler Qais Ahmad opened the spell with a tight line, conceding just 5 runs in his first six overs and picking up a crucial early wicket of the UAE’s captain, Ahmed Raza, who fell for a modest 12. Ahmad’s disciplined approach set the tone for a spell that would see Afghanistan’s seamers dominate the middle overs, exploiting the pitch’s uneven bounce.Ahmadzai, who had earlier contributed with the bat, turned his attention to the ball, delivering a spell that combined accuracy with subtle variations in pace. Over his ten overs, he claimed two wickets for 28 runs, notably dismissing UAE’s middle‑order stalwart, Muhammad Waseem, with a well‑crafted outswinger that clipped the off‑stump..

Rashid, despite being primarily a leg‑spinner, proved equally effective with his slower ball and flighted deliveries, taking a key wicket in the 30th over by trapping UAE’s all‑rounder, Ahmed Raza, leg before wicket. Rashid’s figures of 3 for 34 were instrumental in breaking the momentum of the chase.As the innings progressed, the UAE’s run‑rate began to falter, with the batting side needing to accelerate while also preserving wickets. The pressure mounted when Afghanistan introduced their death bowlers, including the experienced spinner Mujeed Zadran, who bowled a tight final over conceding just 6 runs and securing a wicket with a well‑placed yorker..

The UAE’s lower order, led by the hard‑hitting batsman, Shaiman Anwar, attempted to mount a late surge, but the loss of wickets at regular intervals thwarted any realistic chance of a comeback. Anwar’s valiant 44 off 39 balls stood out as a lone highlight in an otherwise subdued innings.When the final wicket fell, United Arab Emirates were bowled out for 176, a total that fell well short of Afghanistan’s target. The result granted Afghanistan a comfortable 101‑run victory, reinforcing their position near the top of the ICC World Cup League 2 table..

The win also marked a significant milestone for both Ahmadzai and Rashid, who each contributed with bat and ball, embodying the all‑rounder ethos that has become a hallmark of Afghanistan’s cricketing identity.In post‑match interviews, Afghanistan’s captain, Gulbadin Naib, praised the collective effort, highlighting the importance of adaptability on a pitch that had offered challenges to both sides. “The conditions required us to be flexible,” Naib said..