Sharafu, Haider star as UAE clinch maiden series win vs Bangladesh

Alishan Sharafu produced a scintillating batting performance after Haider Ali took 7-3 to steer UAE to the first series win against Bangladesh with a seven-wicket victory in the third and final T20 match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

- Mohamamd Abdullah

Chasing 163, UAE reached the target for the loss of three wickets with five balls to spare. Sharafu and Asif Khan shared an unbeaten 87-run stand for the fourth wicket to take UAE over the line for their first series win against any Test playing nation.

Sharafu and Asif both remained unbeaten, scoring 65 and 41 respectively. Sharafu's 46-ball 65 was studded with five fours and three sixes while Asif belted five sixes in his 41 off 26 deliveries.

UAE got off to a faltering start as they lost the wicket of their most reliable batsman and captain Muhammad Waseem early on in the innings.

Waseem, who smashed a fifty each in the previ-ous two matches, failed to carry the momentum when it was needed the most. He holed out to Tanzid off Islam. The dismissal of Waseem was a big blow for the UAE.

Most of the UAE batting revolves around Was-eem, Asif Khan and now Haider too. Mohammad Zohaib and Alishan Saharfau were left with the task of stitching the innings and maintaining the run rate as well to set the tone for a series win.

Both the batsmen played diligently as they kept the scoreboard moving with singles and doubles, hitting occasional boundaries to keep the asking run rate under control.