Afghanistan edge high-scoring thriller

UAE kept pace with the asking rate in their chase of 309 but regular wickets ensured Afghanistan wrapped up a 14-run win with 10 balls still left to play. UAE had lost their seventh wicket with 56 runs still required, before a 36-run partnership between Rohan Mustafa and Amjad Javed brought them within touching distance. Both fell in the 48th over, Dawlat Zadran bowling Amjad and Rohan getting run out next ball, and Aftab Alam picked up the final wicket in the next over to finish with a three-for.

UAE's chase was helmed by their captain Khurram Khan, who came in after a strong start from the top three and proceeded to make 86 off 70 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes. He put on 82 for the third wicket with Krishna Chandran and 52 with Swapnil Patil for the fourth wicket, leaving UAE at a comfortable 234 for 3 in the 40th over. That became 253 for 7, as Mohammad Nabi had Swapnil caught and bowled before Aftab dismissed Khurram and Shaiman Anwar in successive overs.

Having chosen to bat, Afghanistan made a concerted push to a big total with each of their batsmen batsmen getting into double figures. The three lowest scores came from the top three, and Afghanistan were 50 for 3 before Asghar Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari steadied the innings with a 59-run fourth-wicket stand. Following Stanikzai's dismissal for 33, Shenwari played second fiddle to Nabi and Najibullah Zadran, who made 30 and 46 at over a run-a-ball.

When Shenwari was dismissed for an 80-ball 58, Afghanistan were at a wobbly 226 for 7 in the 44th over, but Mirwais Ashraf's 17-ball 34 and Gulbadin Naib's 10-ball 24 carried the total past 300. Medium-pacer Amjad Javed was UAE's most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 4 for 39 in 10 overs.