UAE Start T20 World Cup Qualifiers with Dominant Win Over Qatar
<h3><strong>UAE Begin T20 World Cup Qualifiers Campaign with Impressive Win Over Qatar</strong></h3><p>The United Arab Emirates made a strong start to their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia and East Asia Pacific Qualifier campaign with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Qatar in Al Amarat, Muscat, on Wednesday. Led by captain Muhammad Waseem, the UAE team displayed a balanced performance with both bat and ball to open their qualifying journey on a winning note.</p><h3><strong>Qatar’s Struggles with the Bat</strong></h3><p>Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Qatar’s innings got off to a nightmare start. Their top order collapsed dramatically within the opening two overs. Imal Liyanage was dismissed for a duck by Junaid Siddique, while Zubair Ali fell to a run-out soon after. Muhammad-Asi Liaqat-Ali also departed without scoring, leaving Qatar reeling at 5 for 3 by the second over.</p><p>Shariq Munir tried to rebuild the innings with a brief knock of 19 off 18 balls, striking three boundaries. However, his dismissal once again exposed the middle order, triggering another flurry of wickets. It was left to captain Mirza Mohammed Baig to stabilize the innings. His composed 30 off 29 deliveries, featuring one four and two sixes, brought some respectability to the scoreline.</p><p>Support came from Shahzaib Jamil Ahmed (20 off 17) and Muhammad Ikramullah (17 off 21), whose contributions pushed Qatar to a modest total of <strong>118 for 8 in 20 overs</strong>.</p><p>For the UAE bowlers, <strong>Muhammad Rohid and Zahid Ali</strong> were particularly effective, each claiming two wickets. Their disciplined line and length kept the Qatari batsmen under constant pressure throughout the innings.</p><h3><strong>UAE’s Confident Chase</strong></h3><p>Chasing 119, UAE’s batting started shakily as they lost three early wickets for just 43 runs. Skipper Muhammad Waseem, known for his explosive batting, was dismissed cheaply, giving Qatar a glimmer of hope.</p><p>However, <strong>Alishan Sharafu</strong> and <strong>Harshit Kaushik</strong> took charge of the chase with maturity and calmness. The duo built an unbeaten <strong>76-run partnership</strong> for the fourth wicket, steering the UAE safely to the target. Their composed approach ensured there were no further hiccups as the team reached <strong>119 for 3 in 18.3 overs</strong>, sealing a comfortable seven-wicket win.</p><p>Sharafu’s stroke play combined elegance with aggression, while Kaushik provided stability at the other end, rotating the strike efficiently and capitalizing on loose deliveries. Their partnership underlined the team’s depth and resilience, qualities that will be crucial as the tournament progresses.</p><h3><strong>A Strong Start and What Lies Ahead</strong></h3><p>This victory not only gives the UAE a strong start in Group A but also boosts their confidence heading into the upcoming fixtures. Under the leadership of <strong>Muhammad Waseem</strong>, the team has set its sights on securing a spot in the next stage of the qualifiers — and ultimately earning a place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.</p><p>The bowlers’ ability to strike early and the batters’ composure under pressure reflect the team’s growing balance and consistency. The UAE squad, featuring a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, seems well-equipped to handle the challenges ahead.</p><p>Coach and captain alike emphasized the importance of maintaining focus. “It’s always good to start a tournament with a win,” said Waseem after the match. “The boys executed the plans well, especially the bowlers up front. We’ll look to carry this momentum forward against Malaysia.”</p><p>The UAE will next face <strong>Malaysia</strong> in their Group A fixture on Friday. A victory there would put them in a commanding position in the group standings and further strengthen their bid for World Cup qualification.</p><p>With confidence high and a convincing opening performance behind them, the UAE appear poised to make a serious push for the T20 World Cup stage — showcasing their growing strength in the international cricket arena.</p>