The United States of America secured a well-earned victory over the United Arab Emirates in their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 28, 2025. In a competitive 50-over encounter, the USA chased down a target of 212 with four wickets in hand and five balls to spare, thanks to a composed all-round display led by Player of the Match, Shubham Ranjane.
After winning the toss, USA skipper Monank Patel elected to field first a decision which paid immediate dividends as Saurabh Netravalkar and Rushil Ugarkar dismantled UAE’s top order within the opening two overs. Both openers, Alishan Sharafu and Aryansh Sharma, fell cheaply, leaving UAE reeling at 4 for 2.
The early collapse forced UAE to rebuild cautiously. Muhammad Shahdad and captain Rahul Chopra put together a patient 66-run stand, grinding through the disciplined USA attack. However, once Chopra was trapped lbw by Ranjane for 36 and Shahdad followed soon after for 34, the innings lost momentum again.
A middle-order counterattack came through Shoaib Khan and Harshit Kaushik. Shoaib struck a brisk 27 off 28 balls before being run out, while Kaushik added much-needed stability with an enterprising 53 from 54 balls, including four towering sixes. His aggressive intent lifted UAE past 200, but consistent breakthroughs from the USA bowlers kept the hosts in check. Netravalkar’s exceptional 10-over spell yielded 3 wickets for just 28 runs, while Ranjane and Jasdeep Singh grabbed two apiece. UAE eventually closed at 211 for 9 after their 50 overs—a total that seemed below par on a good batting pitch.
Chasing 212, the USA got off to a disastrous start, losing both openers, Smit Patel and Andries Gous, within the first three overs to Junaid Siddique. The early setback was compounded when Saiteja Mukkamalla fell lbw to Haider Ali, leaving the Americans tottering at 22 for 3.
Captain Monank Patel and Shayan Jahangir steadied the innings with a 36-run partnership before both departed in quick succession. With the scoreboard reading 110 for 5, UAE appeared to have the upper hand. However, the experienced duo of Milind Kumar and Shubham Ranjane turned the game around with a measured 73-run stand.
Milind’s 71 off 81 balls, laced with four boundaries and a six, provided the backbone of the chase. When he finally fell in the 44th over, the equation still required calm nerves. Ranjane, who had earlier contributed with the ball, held firm with an unbeaten 46 off 81 balls, anchoring the innings alongside Harmeet Singh, who chipped in with a quick 14 not out.
Their composed batting guided USA to victory at 213 for 6 in 49.1 overs, sealing two valuable points in the League 2 standings. For UAE, Junaid Siddique was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 44, while Haider Ali and Simranjeet Singh claimed one each.
