United Arab Emirates vs Afghanistan AFG in UAE, 3 T20Is, 2023

SIX! Janat finishes it off in style! This is full and on off, Janat tonks it over long off for a biggie. Afghanistan win by 6 wickets.

Length and on off, Janat steps across and flicks i to square leg for one. A special knock from Janat. He gets his fifty. Well played.

6 runs needed now. Length and on off, Zadran works it to long on for a single.

A full toss, outside off, Janat heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Well bowled! A yorker on middle. Janat jams it out well to the bowler.

On middle, this is pulled to deep square leg for a couple. 7 runs needed now.

FOUR! Shot! On a fuller side, outside off. Janat smashes it over long off for a boundary.

Angling on middle, Janat nudges it to mid-wicket for one.

Wide! This one goes wide down the leg side. Janat leaves it.

Length ball, way outside off. Janat slaps it hard but finds cover.

On middle, Zadran plays it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! SMOKED! Short and angling on middle. Zadran makes room and slams it over long on for a six.

On off, pushed through covers for a single.

FOUR! Janat moves to 40s! Length ball on off, Janat pulls it in the gap to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

A single as this is knocked through point.

FOUR! What a hit! Length ball, outside off, Janat swings and hits it to long off for a boundary.

Full and on off. Zadran strokes it to point for a single.

On middle, worked to point for one.

Outside off, Zadran tries to flick but options it to play to short third man. One.

FOUR! Zadran gets to his fifty! A different type of knock but just what Afghanistan needed! Length ball, outside off, cut hard past point for four.

SIX! What an innings this is! Full ball, outside off. Janat powers it over long off for a biggie.

On middle, drilled down to long on for a single.

On the pads, Zadran tickles it to short fine leg.

A single as this is hit to long off.

SIX! That is a special shot! Tossed up on middle. Janat steps across and short arm jabs it behind square leg for a six.

Very full and on middle, driven to deep cover for one.

On middle, this is pulled to deep square leg for one.

Very full again, this is jammed out to third man for one.

Wide! Just too many extras! A yorker, wide outside off. Janat fails to jam it out.

Short and wide of off, Zadran dabs it to third man for a single.

FOUR! This will boost his confidence! Short in length and outside off, Zadran places it in the gap to mid-wicket for four.

This is full and outside off. Zadran tries to play it over the keeper but misses. This is not what we always see from Zadran.

On off, kept out.

SIX! BANG! Just the over Afghanistan needed! Short again, outside off. Janat pulls over mid-wicket for a six. 100 up.

FOUR! A couple of more and Afghanistan will be back on track! Length ball, outside off. Janat cuts it late past backward point for four.

SIX! intent from Janat! Much needed! Short in length and outside off. Janat stays back and pulls it hard over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Tight on middle, Janat punches it back to the bowler.

On a length and on middle. Defended out.

OUT! TAKEN! Najibullah's stay is over! This is not looking good for Afghanistan. Short of a length and on off. Najibullah pulls but it goes higher part of the bat and not long as Zahir Khan takes a simple catch at mid-wicket.

Quick runs! Length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran nudges it to mid-wicket for two more.

Short in length on off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for one.

OUT! This time it is taken! Zahir Khan gets his second! Length ball, outside off. Zazai tries to break the shackles as he swings across but fails to execute. Alishan Sharafu runs in from deep and dives to hold on. Good catch.

Length ball, outside off Zadran guides it to third man for a single.

On top of off, dropped to point.

Length ball, outside off. Zazai makes room and slaps it aerially to deep point for a single.

Flatter and outside off, punched through covers for a single.

Drops it short again, outside off, Zadran pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Quicker now on middle, punched back to the bowler.

Flatter and outside off, Zazai knocks it to point for one.

On the pads, Zadran helps it to deep square leg for one.

Too short and outside off, Zazai pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Wide! Way down the leg side, wided.

Length ball on middle. Zazai chips it to long on for a single.

Outside off again, dabbed to third man for one.

Length ball, outside off. Zadran opens the face of the bat and taps it to third man. Sloppy fielding and the batters take one more.

Shorter and outside off, Zazai punches it through covers for a single.

Length ball, outside off, Zadran plays it to third man for a single.

Dropped! Another chance goes down! Full ball on middle. Zazai swings hard to hit over mid-wicket but gets a top edge and the fielder there misjudges the flight and fumbles.

Drinks! Afghanistan have build a stand now but need either of them to go big. United Arab Emirates have done well so far but need to keep on taking wickets regularly. An interesting 10 overs are coming up.

Tossed up, on off, Zadran works it to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Loopy ball, on off. Zazai lofts it over the bowler's head for a single.

This is full and outside off, driven to deep cover for a single.

An arm ball on middle. Kept out.

Flatter and on middle, Zadran blocks.

An arm ball on middle. Zadran goes back and punches it through covers for two more.

Length ball, outside off. Zazai stays back and punches it to point.

Wide! Too wide down the leg side, left alone.

A single as this is hit to square leg for one.

A single! Length and on off, Zazai pulls it to deep square leg for one.

Three dots now! On a length and around off, Zazai mistimes his punch to the bowler.

Fuller and on off, tucked to mid-wicket.

Length and on middle, Zazai eases it to mid on.

Full and on middle, Zazai goes inside-out over covers for one.

On off, pushed through covers for a single.

Two leg byes! Tossed up on middle, Zadran prods to defend but gets beaten on the inside edge onto the pads. Two runs taken as it rolls to square leg.

FOUR! Zadran making most of that dropped chances! Tossed up on middle. Zadran scoops it to fine leg for a boundary.

This is full and angling on off, blocked out.

Flatter and outside off, Zadran punches it to sweeper cover for two.

This is full and outside off, swings it away. Zazai looks to push but misses.

A single as this is tapped to point for one.

Khan gets it to swing away, outside off. Zazai slices it over point for a single.

Length ball, outside off, Zadran steers it to short third man for a single.

Outside off, guided to cover.

EDGED AND PUT DOWN! That was a hard one! Length ball, way outside off. Zazai throws his bat as other batters have done so far and it goes off the edge over first slip but the fielder there leaps and stretches his hand down but fails to hold on.

On middle, this is hit to square leg for a single.

OUT! LBW! Plumb as you like. Zawar Farid shows his muscles to Naib as he walks out. This is full and around off, angling in. Naib tries to heave it across but misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal and up goes the finger. Afghanistan lose two in no time.

Length ball, outside off, Naib swings and misses.

FIVE WIDES! Too many extras! Down the leg side, Naib misses his flick and it goes down past the keeper to fine leg for a boundary.

Keeps it wide outside off. Naib looks to pull but misses.

Wide! Down the leg side again, wided.

Was that a chance? Length ball, outside off, Naib pulls it but finds mid-wicket. Yes, that was a chance, it went straight but the fielder fails to catch.

On the hips now, Zadran nudges it to square leg for a single. Given as a leg bye.

Wide! Faird errs in line and serves it down the leg side. Wided.

Length ball, outside off. Naib is happy to let it go.

On off, Naib blocks it out.

OUT! TAKEN! United Arab Emirates have the first breakthrough! A bit sloppy from Gurbaz! This is full and on middle, Gurbaz swings his bat across but is late to the shot. A top edge and Muhammad Waseem takes the skier at covers.

Length ball, a bit slower and Gurbaz fails to connect.

Length ball, outside off. Gurbaz works it through third man for two more.

Wide! Outside off again, swings away. Gurbaz lets it go.

Wide! Full and way outside off, Gurbaz looks to drive but mises.

Outside off, tapped to third man for a single.

FOUR! Another one! This is full and on the pads, Gurbaz flicks it past square leg for a boundary.

Short of a length and on off, bit of swing. Gurbaz flashes and misses.

Two more! Fuller and on middle. Gurbaz drills it wide of mid on for a brace.

On middle, this is hit to covers for a single.

Full and outside off, pushed to mid off.

Length ball on leg, just sliding down. Ibrahim Zadran misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. An appeal but that was going down.

FOUR! What a beautiful strike! Junaid Siddique tries a yorker but serves it full on middle, this is threaded through the gap to mid-wicket for a boundary.

Outside off, guided to third man for a single.

This is around off. Blocked out.

FOUR! Good shot! Length and on middle. Ibrahim Zadran this time heaves and connects well to hit over mid-wicket for four. That is a better shot.

On off, this is kept out.

FOUR! Ohh, what a mess! This is outside off. Ibrahim Zadran swings his bat hard but gets an outside edge and it flies to third man. A easy catch there for the fielder but he drops a sitter. It rolls behind for four.

Length ball, outside off, Gurbaz nudges it but finds mid-wicket.

FOUR! First off the chase! A lucky one! Outside off. Gurbaz swings and gets an outside edge over short third man for a boundary.

Thick edge! Length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran looks to drive but gets an inside edge to fine leg for a single.

TAP AND RUN! Length and on off, Gurbaz drops it to cover for a single.

On a length and around off, pushed through covers for a single.

Slightly short from Akif on middle. Gurbaz pulls it to mid-wicket for a single.

Tidy bowling from Junaid! This is full and on middle, Gurbaz works it to point for a single.

Length ball, outside off, Gurbaz punches but straight to cover.

A bit of swing, length and outside off. Gurbaz again throws his bat and misses.

On a length and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran taps it to point and gets off the mark with a single.

On a length and outside off. Ibrahim Zadran slashes and misses.

This is full and outside off, Gurbaz drives it through covers for a single.

A bye to end! A yorker outside off, Alishan Sharafu looks to jam it out but misses. They take one. United Arab Emirates END WITH 163!

A short ball again, a slower short ball, this is pulled towards deep square leg for one.

Only one! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled towards deep mid-wicket for one.

A full toss outside off, Alishan Sharafu looks to drive but gets an outside edge to the keeper.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket for two.

OUT! RUN OUT! That is really good from Gulbadin Naib! He can do no wrong! On off, this is chopped towards cover. They go for one. Rizwan has a shy at the non-striker's end and hits the stumps. It is taken upstairs. Replays show that Rizwan did not ground his bat.

FOUR! Just wide! Gulbadin Naib was very close to a hat-trick! A slower one on middle, this is lofted towards the right of long on. Rashid runs and dives but it is just out of reach. A boundary.

WIDE! A slower one down the leg side. Wided.

OUT! TIMBER! Another one bites the dust! A slower one on middle, Zawar Farid is through the shot. He misses and it hits the stumps.

OUT! TAKEN! That is a simple catch! A slower one around off, Vriitya Aravind walks across and looks to heave it over mid-wicket. It goes off the top edge towards cover for a simple catch.

FOUR! Plays it nice and fine! On middle, shorter, Aravind plays the paddle scoop past fine leg for a boundary.

Another dot! Slower one outside off, Aravind swings but misses.

Dots are gold at the moment! Shorter and on off, this is pushed to cover.

Shorter and around middle, this is nudged around the corner for one.

Outside off, this is guided down to third man for one.

Shorter and outside off, Chundangapoyil Rizwan slashes but misses.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket for one.

Around off, this is guided to point for one.

On the shorter side, this is pulled towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Another single as this is eased down to long on.

Rizwan is off the mark! On middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.

OUT! Two in two for Rashid! Another big wicket as Rohan Mustafa departs on the very first ball he faces. On middle, Rohan Mustafa looks to play the reverse sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal and the finger is raised.

OUT! A loud shout and the finger is raised. The googly, it lands outside off and spins back in. Basil Hameed looks to defend but misses to get hit on the pads. The finger is raised.

This time he sweeps it through square leg for two.

FOUR LEG BYES! Frustrating runs for Afghanistan! Outside off, Basil Hameed looks to sweep but it goes off the inside edge down towards third man for a boundary.

SIX! Over the fence! Fortunate biggie! They won't mind how they come as long as they do! On off, Vriitya Aravind walks across and looks to whip it but it goes off the top edge and over the third man fence.

Outside off, this is guided down to third man for one.

OUT! What a catch that is! Something special was needed to dismiss Muhammad Waseem and Rashid provides it. A full one on middle, Waseem is through the stroke. It goes up in the air towards mid off. Rashid runs in, slides and takes it inches above the ground. Massive wicket, this can make a difference of 20 runs to the final score.

A slower one, this is pulled down to long on for one.

Shorter and outside off, this is guided towards short third man for one more.

WIDE! That is a little too harsh! Shorter and outside off, Waseem looks to cut but misses.

Shorter and outside off, this is guided down to third man for one.

Another dot to end! Superb from Gulbadin Naib! A yorker outside off, Muhammad Waseem fails to jam it out.

Another slower one outside off, Muhammad Waseem slashes at it, it goes off the inside edge back to the bowler.

Two more! On middle, a slower one, this is dragged wide of long on for one.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through square leg for one.

Shorter and on off, this is guided to point.

DROPPED! What an effort that was! Wow! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled towards deep mid-wicket. Rahmanullah Gurbaz runs to his right, dives but can't hang on. Saves three at least in the end.

A single to end! Very watchful against Rashid! On middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one.

On off, this is pushed towards cover.

Another single as this is pushed towards cover.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

A huge shout but turned down! Outside off, Vriitya Aravind looks to guide it down to third man but is beaten. An appeal but not given.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Shorter and outside off, Vriitya Aravind slashes but misses.

Another single as this is nudged on the leg side.

FOUR MORE! Waseem is playing a gem! On middle, this is worked down to fine leg and into the fence.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Nicely played! Shortr and around off, this is guided over point for a boundary.

Fuller and on off, this is pushed to cover.

On middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

FOUR! That is poor fielding! Shorter and around off, Vriitya Aravind guides it down towards third man. The fielder over runs the ball and it goes behind for a boundary.

Two more! On off, this is guided past point for two.

On the pads, this is nudged on the leg side for one more.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for two.

FOUR! What a shot! Makes room, this is shorter and around off, it is cut over point for a boundary.

On middle, this is pulled through square leg for one.

On off, this is guided through point for one.

A single as this is pushed through covers.

TOP EDGE AND FOUR! On middle, Waseem wants to pull, it goes off the top edge and over the keeper for a boundary.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

A single as this is pushed down to long on.

Flatter and on off, this is pushed to cover.

Another dot! On off, this is pushed to cover.

Another single as this is played down to long on.

Shorter and on off, this is pulled down to long on for one.

Another dot! Outside off, on the shorter side, Vriitya Aravind slashes but misses.

Outside off, left alone.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

On middle, this is nudged around the corner for one.

On off, this is pushed towards cover for one more.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

SIX! BANG! That has gone a long way! Muhammad Waseem is in some touch! On middle, this is lofted over the long on fence for a biggie.

On middle, this is nudged around the corner for one.

On middle, kept out.

Around off, this is guided to point for one.

On middle, this is pushed to cover.

SIX! BANG! What a shot that is. Tossed up on middle, this is hit over long on for a biggie.

A single as this is pushed through covers.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one more.

Another single as this is pushed through covers.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

On off, this is worked down to long on for one.

On off, defended.

A single to end a superb Powerplay for United Arab Emirates! On off, this is guided down to third man for one.

On middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

SIX! Over the fence! That is a superb shot! Fuller and on off, this is lfted over the cover fielder and over the fence.

FOUR! That is a strong shot! On middle, this is pulled hard through mid-wicket and it races away to the fence.

On middle, defended.

FOUR! That is another beautiful stroke! Fuller and around off, this is driven through covers for another boundary.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

On off, this is pushed towards cover for one.

Fuller and outside off, this is pushed to cover.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Left alone.

FOUR MORE! United Arab Emirates are off toa a great start! Length and on off, this is driven through covers for a boundary.

FOUR! Nice timing! Shorter and outside off, this is driven square on the off side for a boundary.

FIVE WIDES! That is a wild delivery! Way down the leg side and swings away further. Vriitya Aravind looks to flick but misses. The keeper dives to his left but fails to take it. He has no chance. Bonus runs.

On middle, this is defended.

This one now comes back in, it lands on middle and jags back in. Muhammad Waseem is hit on the pads.

Another beauty! Length and on off, this one shapes away late. Muhammad Waseem is beaten as he tries to defend.

Two more! On middle, this is nudged around the corner for two.

Good length and on off, defended.

JUST SHORT AND FOUR! That was a beauty of a delivery! This is fuller, it shapes away. Muhammad Waseem looks to drive but it goes off the outside edge and lands short of the keeper, it hits the glove and runs down to the third man fence.

FOUR! Flicked away! On the pads, this is worked through mid-wicket and it races away to the fence.

That is a beauty! Fuller and around off, this one moves away again. Vriitya Aravind looks to drive but is beaten.

BEATEN AGAIN! Length and outside off, Vriitya Aravind looks to push at it again but is beaten again.

BEATEN! Length and around off, this lands and moves away. Vriitya Aravind is beaten as he tries to push at it.

Good length and on off, this is pushed to cover.

Good length and on off, defended.

Fuller and on middle, this is pushed to mid on.

FOUR! Make that three in the over! Length and outside off, Muhammad Waseem gudes it past short third man and into the fence.

On off, this is pushed to cover.

Well bowled! Length and around off, this lands and then straightens. Muhammad Waseem is beaten as he pushes at it.

FOUR! Make that two in a row! This is even better! Fuller and outside off, this is drilled through covers and it races away to the fence.

FOUR! That is a glorious stroke! Fuller and outside off, Muhammad Waseem strokes it through covers for the first boundary of the game. Wonderful shot.

On middle, defended.

Fuller and on middle, Vriitya Aravind plays it back to the bowler.

On middle, defended.

That should have been a run out! Brilliant from Rahmanullah Gurbaz but the throw was not upto the mark! On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket. The fielder runs to his left, dives and stops it. They take two and then there is a confusion. Muhammad Waseem wants another one and is off but his partner his not interested. Luckily for him, the throw from Rahmanullah Gurbaz is not a good one. It goes towards Rashid who is backing up. He has a shy at the bowler's end but he misses too.

United Arab Emirates are underway! On the pads, Muhammad Waseem looks to flick but misses, it hits the pad and rolls on the leg side for one.

Starts off with a full toss, looking for some swing but there is none. This is driven to mid on.

Time for the action to begin! The players make their way out to the middle. Muhammad Waseem and Vriitya Aravind are the openers for the home side. Fazalhaq Farooqi to begin.

United Arab Emirates (PLAYING XI) - Muhammad Waseem, Vriitya Aravind (WK), Chundangapoyil Rizwan (C), Basil Hameed, Rohan Mustafa, Aayan Afzal Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Zawar Farid, Junaid Siddique, Zahoor Khan, Akif Raja.

Afghanistan (PLAYING XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Afsar Zazai (WK), Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (C), Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Zahir Khan.

TOSS - Afghanistan have won the toss and ELECTED TO FIELD!

A thumping win to level the series would have given the UAE a lot of confidence heading into the series decider. That defeat was a wake up call for Afghanistan and a message that the UAE are no pushovers. However, despite being beaten that badly, Afghanistan are favourites heading into the game and to take the series. Anything other than that will be a surprise. Are we in for one?

... MATCH DAY ...

In yet another quick turnaround in this series, United Arab Emirates will be facing Afghanistan in the final T20I game. A thumping 9-wicket victory would have pumped them with confidence as they head into this all-important decider. Even in the first game, United Arab Emirates ran the Afghans close and the way they outclassed Afghanistan in the second match was quite unexpected. Their bowling unit pulled up the socks and restricted Afghanistan to a below-par total and then the century-opening stand between Muhammad Waseem and Vriitya Aravind was enough to put the game to bed. They will be hoping for a similar game again to score a rare series win over a top nation. Afghanistan's batting has been blowing hot and cold lately with the top order not showing much consistency. In both games, it failed to step up and the middle-lower order had to do the tough work. They will have to fix the issue at the top as at this rate, getting a good start and claiming the early advantage, looks next to impossible. On the bowling front, they certainly can do better but this group has proved itself in the past. The Afghans would like to treat their last bowling show as an aberration and come out charging in this decider. Who will take the series? Your guess is as good as ours.