The United Arab Emirates defeated Canada by five wickets thanks to half-centuries from Aryansh Sharma and Sohaib Khan for their first victory of the Twenty20 World Cup in a Group D encounter at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday.
After getting reduced to 66-4 in the 13th over while chasing 151 for victory, UAE won with two balls remaining thanks to a quick 84-run partnership between Aryansh and Sohaib. Sohaib scored a brilliant 51 off 29 balls, while Aryansh made an unbeaten 74.
Canada chose to bat and scored 150-7 thanks to runs from Navneet Dhaliwal (34) and Harsh Thaker (50). Giving up 35 runs in only four overs, UAE seamer Junaid Siddique took five of Canada’s seven wickets.
Junaid Siddique became the first bowler from the United Arab Emirates to take five wickets in the T20 World Cup.
Alishan Sharafu, Mayank Kumar, and Harshit Kaushik were all removed by left-arm spinner Saad Bin Zafar, who destroyed the UAE’s top order and placed Canada ahead.
However, Aryansh remained unflinching and reached his fifty off 41 balls. Before he fell in the last over, Sohaib, who struck four sixes, got UAE’s chase back on track with a fifty off 28 balls.
After New Zealand and South Africa, who are tied for fourth position with four points from two games, the UAE overtook Afghanistan to take third place in the group.
