Rashid Khan Breaks T20I Record as Afghanistan Edge UAE in Thriller
It was a night to remember in Sharjah, as Afghanistan not only claimed victory over the UAE but also celebrated a historic personal milestone for their captain and superstar leg-spinner, Rashid Khan. In a tense encounter that went right down to the wire, Afghanistan secured a four-run win, and Rashid etched his name into cricket history by becoming the leading wicket-taker in men’s T20 internationals.
The Afghan innings began with solid intent. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided the perfect platform, stitching together a 98-run partnership. Gurbaz made a fluent 40, while Zadran top-scored with 48, anchoring the innings and earning himself the Player of the Match award. Once the openers departed, Karim Janat and Gulbadin Naib accelerated the scoring rate, pushing Afghanistan to a competitive total of 170. The late flourish came in handy, especially against a UAE side that has been improving with each outing. For the Emiratis, Haider Ali impressed with the ball, picking up two wickets and keeping Afghanistan from running away with the game.
Also Read:The chase by UAE was spirited and, at one stage, looked destined to cause an upset. Their skipper Muhammad Waseem led from the front, giving them a rapid start. Rahul Chopra’s unbeaten 52 kept hopes alive, while Asif Khan nearly turned the match on its head with a quickfire 40 in the final overs. The target was brought within touching distance, but Afghanistan’s bowlers, despite showing some nerves, held their ground. Fareed Ahmad, entrusted with the final over, was under immense pressure with 16 runs to defend. After conceding a boundary and a six early in the over, he displayed remarkable composure, giving away just seven runs in the last four deliveries. The final nail came when Asif Khan launched one high into the night sky, only to be safely pouched by Rahmanullah Gurbaz at long off, sealing a dramatic win for Afghanistan.
The highlight of the night, however, belonged to Rashid Khan. His spell of 3 for 11 was not only match-defining but also historic. By dismissing Ethan D’Souza, Asif Khan, and Dhruv Parashar, Rashid overtook New Zealand’s Tim Southee to become the highest wicket-taker in men’s T20Is with 165 scalps. His economy rate and consistency have made him a global phenomenon, and this achievement further cements his status as one of the greats of the game.
This victory meant more than just points on the board. It confirmed Afghanistan’s spot in the final of the tri-series, where they will face arch-rivals Pakistan. For UAE, it was another narrow defeat, their fourth in a row, but their fighting spirit and individual performances suggested that progress is being made. Their captain admitted after the match that while they fell short, lessons would be carried forward, especially with the Asia Cup around the corner.
In the end, it was a blend of Rashid’s brilliance, Afghanistan’s steady batting foundation, and some nerves of steel at the death that carried them through. Fans witnessed not only an enthralling contest but also a historic moment in T20I cricket—a night when Rashid Khan stood tallest once again.
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