Saad Bin Zafar’s Triple Strike in Vain as UAE Prevail
Canada’s bold decision to bat first at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday night in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup set up a gripping contest, but it was the brilliance of Junaid Siddique that ultimately tilted the match in favour of the United Arab Emirates.
After winning the toss, Canada aimed to post a competitive total on a surface that promised assistance to both batters and bowlers. However, early strikes from Junaid Siddique disrupted their plans. Yuvraj Samra fell for 5, caught by Alishan Sharafu, before Dilpreet Bajwa followed soon after for 11. At 19 for 2 inside four overs, Canada were forced into rebuilding mode.
Navneet Dhaliwal and Harsh Thaker steadied the innings with a measured partnership. Dhaliwal compiled a fluent 34 off 28 balls, striking four boundaries before being run out by Muhammad Arfan at a crucial juncture. Thaker then anchored the innings with a composed half-century, scoring 50 off 41 deliveries, including two fours and three sixes. His knock ensured Canada had a platform to accelerate in the closing overs.
Yet, Siddique returned to deliver decisive blows. He removed Thaker in the 18th over and followed up by dismissing Shreyas Movva and Saad Bin Zafar in quick succession. His outstanding spell of 5 for 35 in four overs earned him the Player of the Match award and restricted Canada to 150 for 7 in their 20 overs. Muhammad Jawadullah also impressed with an economical 1 for 16 from his four overs.
Chasing 151, the UAE innings began cautiously. Waseem Muhammad departed early for 4, and Canada’s bowlers kept things tight through the middle overs. Saad Bin Zafar turned the game momentarily with a superb spell, claiming 3 for 14 in four overs, removing Alishan Sharafu, Mayank Rajesh Kumar, and Harshit Kaushik to leave the UAE at 66 for 4.
However, Aryansh Sharma stood firm. The opener crafted a match-winning 74 not out from 53 balls, blending patience with calculated aggression. He found a reliable partner in Sohaib Khan, who injected momentum into the chase with a blistering 51 off just 29 deliveries, smashing four fours and four sixes. Their partnership shifted the pressure back onto Canada as the required rate began to dip steadily.
Though Sohaib fell in the penultimate over with just one run needed, the outcome was inevitable. Sharma calmly saw the UAE home at 151 for 5 in 19.4 overs, sealing a five-wicket victory.
While Siddique’s five-wicket haul laid the foundation, Sharma’s composed unbeaten knock ensured the UAE crossed the line in a tightly contested encounter in Delhi.
