On a warm evening in Sharjah, as the last ball sped across the cover boundary, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) cricket team jumped around in celebration. Alishan Sharafu raised his bat, and was immediately engulfed by teammates, some in tears and others jumping up and down in glimpses of disbelief.
The scoreboard signaled, UAE had won seven wickets against Bangladesh and won their first T20 International (T20I) series against a Full Member nation. For a nation defining its identity in cricket, it was more than a win, it was a declaration to the world.
Series Overview
First T20I: Bangladesh 1, UAE 0: The series began with Bangladesh asserting their experience, defeating the hosts by 27 runs. UAE’s chase faltered under scoreboard pressure, leaving fans wondering if the gulf in pedigree would prove too wide.
Second T20I: UAE’s Daring Comeback: Everything changed in the second match. Chasing a daunting 206, UAE’s batters found new gears, pulling off a sensational run chase to level the series. The belief in the squad grew palpable, and the Sharjah crowd sensed history in the making.
Third T20I: The Decider—Sharafu and Haider Ali Shine: Bangladesh, put into bat, started brightly with Tanzid Hasan’s 40 off 18 balls. But their innings unraveled as young left-arm spinner Haider Ali delivered a spellbinding 3/7, reducing the visitors to 162/9. Jaker Ali’s steady 41 and Hasan Mahmud’s late fireworks (26 off 15) gave Bangladesh a fighting total, but it never seemed enough.
UAE’s chase had early jitters when skipper Muhammad Waseem departed cheaply, and Muhammad Zohaib’s 29 was a brief cameo. But Sharafu (68 off 51) anchored the innings with poise, finding an able partner in Asif Khan (41 off 26). Their unbeaten 87-run stand broke Bangladesh’s resolve. Asif’s two sixes in the penultimate over brought the crowd to its feet, and Sharafu’s final boundary sealed the 2-1 series win with nine balls to spare.
Match Details
| Venue | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| Toss | United Arab Emirates, elected to field first |
| Series | Bangladesh tour of United Arab Emirates |
| Season | 2025 |
| Player Of The Match | Alishan Sharafu |
| Player Of The Series | Muhammad Waseem |
| Series result | United Arab Emirates won the 3-match series 2-1 |
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Key Moments and Standout Performers
- Haider Ali’s Bowling: The young spinner’s (3/7) effort to destroy Bangladesh’s top order held the game in UAE’s favor and set the time for the chase.
- Alishan Sharafu’s Chase: He was the primary asset of the chase with his valiant (68, 5 fours and 3 sixes) desperate from the start, his cool thinking during tough moments was also Players of Match worthy moments.
- Asif Khan’s Finishing: A composed (41, 26 balls, 5 sixes) gesture ensured no late-game nerves for a convincing close.
- Captain, Muhammad Waseem: With being the series highest scorer with his (145 runs, 2 fifties), he was also named Player of the series during which he is free to dedicate the trophy to his son, signifying emotionally the importance of personally and nationally.
The scenes at Sharjah were unforgettable. UAE players, many of them uncapped before this series, embraced in disbelief and joy. Captain Waseem, visibly moved, said, “This series means a lot. The uncapped players did really well. Haider Ali was exceptional. To be honest, we didn’t lose our hopes. First time I am receiving this trophy; I want to dedicate this award to my son”.
Fans took to social media in droves, celebrating the “watershed moment” for UAE cricket. The victory was hailed as a breakthrough, not just for the team, but for the sport’s future in the Emirates.
Bangladesh’s captain Litton Das was candid in defeat: “Definitely our performance wasn’t up to the mark… UAE bowlers played really well. Their batters didn’t panic much, so credit goes to them”.
The Significance and Future Impact
This series win is monumental for several reasons:
- First Bilateral Series Win Over a Test Nation: UAE had never beaten a Full Member in a T20I series before. Bangladesh, meanwhile, became the first Test playing nation to lose a bilateral series to UAE, compounding their recent struggles against associate teams.
- Emergence of New Talent: With five uncapped players in the squad, UAE’s blend of youth and experience paid off handsomely.
- A Springboard for Growth: Captain Waseem believes this triumph will “go a long way in shaping the future of the game in the country.” With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, UAE’s confidence and global profile have received a major boost.
A New Chapter for UAE Cricket
The Sharjah night will be remembered as the moment UAE cricket came of age. From the nerves of the opening loss to the euphoria of the final boundary, the team’s journey mirrored the dreams of a nation.
For the players, fans, and the wider cricketing world, this was more than a series win—it was proof that with belief, composure, and heart, new giants can rise in the game’s ever-expanding landscape.
Written By Smita Singh
