United Arab Emirates pitcher Aayan Khan believes they can beat more big teams in the future after their historic win over New Zealand on Saturday 19 August.
In a historic development, the United Arab Emirates knocked out New Zealand in the second T20I match, ending the series with a 1-1 scoreline. The match was played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and marked the United Arab Emirates' first win over New Zealand in international cricket.
The UAE team chose to play badly after winning the toss, setting the stage for a thrilling T20 clash. New Zealand have scored 142/8 of their 20 allowed passes, with Mark Chapman's outstanding contribution of 63 runs on 46 balls. However, the UAE pitchers put in a very disciplined effort, with Muhammad Jawad Ullah and Aayan Khan winning 2 and 3 racquets respectively to limit the Blackcaps.
Aayan Afzal Khan, a 17-year-old left-handed spinner, made a big contribution to the UAE's victory. He put in a brilliant three-stroke, taking his career-best 3-to-20, helping the United Arab Emirates limit New Zealand to a manageable tally. His stellar performances earned him the Man of the Match award.
On the batting front, captain Mohammad Waseem led with 55 runs on 29 balls, while Asif Khan scored an undefeated 48 points. Their efforts have seen the UAE chase the target brilliantly, reaching a score of 144/3 in just 15.4 rounds. The win not only tightens the record but also marks the United Arab Emirates' status as the first team to beat New Zealand in T20 cricket.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Aayan revealed that he sleeps most of the day and skips breakfast. The young tennis player said he wants to continue his good form and receive the support of the coach.
Aayan said the UAE is confident it can beat more teams shortly. "Today I slept and didn't eat breakfast. The first match that I loved. I am fine but I want to continue. I have the support of the coach. We can beat more teams in time. next. We have great players like Waseem and we know we will be able to continue that," said Aayan Khan.
