Aayan Fist: UAE pull off stunning win over New Zealand

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) sprang a surprise as they thrashed New Zealand by seven wickets to win the second of the three T20 Internationals on Saturday night in Dubai, making the decider on Sunday crucial for the Kiwis to salvage pride.  

Aayan Afzal Khan, a 17-year-old left-arm spinner who was born in the Indian state of Goa but moved to UAE at two, weaved magic around the Kiwis as he picked 3/20 in his four overs to restrict New Zealand to 142/8 in 20 overs.

He got rid of Mitchell Santner, Dane Cleaver and opener Chad Bowes to set his team on track to victory.  

Mark Chapman, batting at No. 5, top-scored with 63 off 46 balls with three fours and three sixes.

UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem then hammered 55 off 29 balls (4x4s, 3x6s) at a strike rate of 189.66 to lead the UAE charge. The host had lost wicketkeeper-batsman Aryansh Sharma with the score on zero but recovered through partnerships of 40 and 56 between Waseem and Vriitya Aravind (25) and Waseem and Asif Khan (48 not out off 29 balls; 5x4s, 1x6).

NZ skipper Tim Southee, who was Man of the Match in the first game returned with 1/32 in 3.4 overs, and expressed his disappointment at the loss.

“We did not learn from the first game,” he said.  

New Zealand dropped as many as three catches.

“Dropped catches are a part of the game. We just need to be better in all three areas. UAE were better in all aspects today.”

UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem was effusive in his praise of Aayan as well as finisher Asif Khan.

“We always look to win the game. Asif is a quality player. He has debuted late but he has the experience. He told me that he’ll finish the game. Aayan Khan can be a future star. He never takes pressure.”

Aayan, who won Man-of-the-Match award was asked what he ate prior to the match to earn such a performance.

“I did not eat much because I was sleeping peacefully. But picking wickets is what I wanted to do and am happy that we could win. I am playing well and I just hope I can keep playing well and take UAE to new heights.”

Brief scores: 142/8 in 20 overs (Mark Chapman 63, Aayan Afzal Khan 3/20, Jawadullah 2/16) lost to UAE 144/3 in 15.4 overs (Muhammad Waseem 55, Asif Khan 48 not out)

Cricket, Aayan Afzal Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Tim Southee, Mark Chapman, T20,