The result in the end was as expected, many would say. If it were an Associate member instead of Australia, UAE would have made another 35-40 runs to their total. If it were an Associate member instead of Australia, UAE bowlers would have picked up lot more wickets than the three they managed to pick against the T20I team ranked #3 in the world.
The start was a disaster, the rebuilding process took it’s time but showed that it’s in them to do that when required and a late flourish showed that the strike power does exist when needed. The quick wickets with the ball showed that the early striking ability is there and the spinners showed that they can do a good job either holding the ends and take wickets as well in the crucial middle overs. Overall, a satisfying outing in the park and if there was more than just one match, UAE would have loved to get a second crack at the Aussies.
No doubt that this was a welcome move on the part of Cricket Australia to get International status for the game before their 3-match T20I series against Pakistan. It was the first time ever when these two countries have met in any format of the game. Imagine that it’s close to 2019 and still there are fixtures among ICC members (Full members and Associates) that haven’t been played even once in any format.
The Blackcaps squad are coming in next to play Pakistan in UAE after the departure of Australia, and if a fixture could be arranged with them as well, it’ll be a great move on their part. The ball is in your court, Blackcaps!! UAE are more than worthy opponents at any given day of the calendar year.
Brief Scores:
UAE 117/6 in 20 overs (Shaiman Anwar 41, Mohammad Naveed 27 n.o, Rameez Shahzad 22, Nathan Coulter-Nile 2/20, Billy Stanlake 2/20) lost to Australia 119/3 in 16.1 overs (D’Arcy Short 68 n.o, Chris Lynn 20, Glenn Maxwell 18, Amir Hayat 2/26, Imran Haider 1/16) by 7 wickets
