UAE Pull Off Thrilling Two-Wicket Victory to Square T20I Series 1-1

A blistering 82 from captain Muhammad Waseem and last-over drama carried the UAE to a stunning two-wicket win over Bangladesh, levelling the three-match T20I series at 1-1. The visitors had piled up 205-5, but wayward death bowling let the target slip with a ball to spare.

How the chase unfolded

• Flying start: Openers Muhammad Waseem and Muhammad Zohaib rocketed to 107 without loss inside 10 overs. Waseem reached fifty off just 25 balls; Zohaib made 39 off 35 (3 fours, 2 sixes) before Tanvir Islam broke the stand.

• Middle wobble: Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain removed Rahul Chopra four balls later, and Bangladesh clawed back when Shoriful Islam had Waseem brilliantly taken by keeper Zakir Ali for 82 (42 balls, 9 fours, 5 sixes). UAE still needed 57 from 30 deliveries.

• Twists at the death: Quick wickets left the hosts eight down, but Haider Ali kept his nerve. With 12 required off the final over, the right-hander sealed victory with a ball to spare, handing Bangladesh their first-ever T20I defeat to the UAE.

Earlier: Tigers post 205-5

Bangladesh’s 205 was built on Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s 59 (33 balls) and a late 45 from Towhid Hridoy, yet even that proved insufficient.

Series decider tomorrow

The result sets up a winner-takes-all finale in Sharjah. Bangladesh skipper Liton Das must rally a bowling unit that squandered a 27-run win in the opener, while the buoyant UAE eye a landmark series upset.