A brilliant all-round display by Rohan Mustafa guided the United Arab Emirates to a somewhat shocking 16-run win over Afghanistan in the opening Asia Cup Twenty20 qualifier at Fatullah’s Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium yesterday.
Rohan first struck a blistering 50-ball 77 to steer the UAE to a challenging tally of 176/4. He then followed it up with a fine three-wicket haul as the Afghans were dismissed for 160 with one delivery of their innings remaining.
Batting first, the UAE rode on their opening batsmen Muhammad Kaleem and Rohan who added 83 quickfire runs in 8.5 overs, thus laying the platform for the competitive total.
Following Kaleem’s departure, a determined Rohan took charge, hammering seven boundaries and four sixes, and received valuable support in the shape of Mohammad Shahzad (25*) and Usman Mushtaq (23*).
Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers, bagging 3/25 from his four overs.
In reply, the Afghans kept losing wickets in clusters and were eventually bundled out for 160. Karim Sadiq played a lone hand, scoring a brisk 48-ball 72, but a lack of support from the other end meant the Afghans fell 16 short of their target.
Alongside Rohan, UAE opening bowling pair Mohammad Naveed (2/29) and Farhan Ahmed (2/28) were also among the wickets.
Afghanistan will now face Oman in their next game today while the UAE will take on Hong Kong tomorrow. Both the matches will be held in Fatullah.
