United Arab Emirates Keep Super 8 Hopes Alive with Win Over Canada

An unbeaten 74 from Aryan Sharma guided the United Arab Emirates to a thrilling five-wicket victory over Canada, keeping their slim hopes of reaching the Super 8 stage alive.

Chasing 151, UAE found themselves under pressure at one stage. With the equation becoming difficult in the final four overs, Sohaib Khan swung the momentum back by taking 17 runs off an over from Dillon Heyliger. UAE needed eight runs in the final over. Sharma eased the tension immediately by smashing Jaskaran Singh’s first delivery for a six over mid-wicket. Although Sohaib Khan, who scored 51 off 29 balls with four sixes, was dismissed with the scores level, new batter Muhammad Arfan struck a boundary with two balls to spare to seal the victory. Sharma remained unbeaten on 74 off 53 balls.

With this win, UAE moved up to third place in Group D with two points. However, to advance to the next stage, they must defeat full members South Africa and Afghanistan. UAE have never beaten a full member in any edition of the World Cup, but this victory will certainly boost their confidence.

Earlier, after being sent in to bat, Canada posted 150 for 7. Harsh Thaker anchored the innings with a 41-ball half-century, sharing a 58-run partnership with Navneet Dhaliwal. Dhaliwal was run out for 34. Canada struggled to accelerate towards the end. For UAE, Junaid Siddique claimed five wickets — the best bowling figures by a UAE player at a T20 World Cup — including two in the final over.