"UAE Believed They Could Win the Series Against Bangladesh — And They Did"

What was originally set to be a short two-match T20I series turned into a defining chapter in UAE cricket history. Just before the second game, a third match was added—and it was that unexpected decider where the UAE sealed a momentous 2-1 series victory over Bangladesh.

Bangladesh had taken the early lead by winning the first match, but the UAE, driven by belief and determination, stormed back to clinch back-to-back victories. The third match, added at the request of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, became the stage for one of the most memorable achievements in UAE’s cricket journey.

Reflecting on the team’s mindset, Player of the Match in the series decider, Alishan Sharafu, shared:
"When the third match was announced, everyone in the dressing room believed we could win. We talked about taking it one game at a time—and that’s exactly what we did."

In the second T20I, the UAE chased down a daunting total to register their first-ever win over Bangladesh. They carried that momentum into the third game, where a clinical 7-wicket victory sealed the series. Alishan starred with a sparkling 68-run knock, earning him the Player of the Match award.

This wasn’t just another series win—it was a redemption story. The UAE had come close before, notably against New Zealand in 2023, where they managed a win but not a series triumph. This time, they completed the job.

UAE captain Muhammad Waseem was visibly emotional after the win:
"I’m extremely happy with this historic achievement. My heartfelt congratulations to our management, our board, coaching staff, head coach, physio, analyst, trainer—everyone. I’m proud we made history today."

While Waseem played a key role with the bat in the first two matches—scoring a fifty in the opener and a blistering 82 off 42 balls in the second—he only managed 9 in the third match. Still, his faith in the team never wavered.
"We never lost hope. I kept telling the team we could win. We know these conditions well. We had the belief, and I’m so happy."

The final match was clinched through a brilliant 87-run partnership in just 51 balls between Alishan Sharafu and Asif Khan. With the ball, debutant Haider Ali made a big impact, taking 3 wickets for just 7 runs in 4 overs—an outstanding debut performance.

This victory is more than just a series win. It marks a bold step forward for the UAE's cricketing ambitions and stands as a shining example of what belief, teamwork, and preparation can achieve.