For the second game in a row, New Zealand's bowlers could't get their plans in order in Chennai. On Tuesday (February 10), fifties from UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem (65* off 44) and senior batter Alishan Sharafu (55 off 47) ensured their highest-ever total in T20 World Cup history. There was also a handy cameo from Mayank Kumar (21 off 13) at the end as UAE ended their innings at a respectable total of 173.
Till this game, UAE's highest total in T20 World Cup matches was 151. When Aryansh Sharma fell early, New Zealand would have fancied picking up a few more wickets in the PowerPlay. Instead, Waseem and Sharafu took charge with a brilliant 107-run stand that took just 77 deliveries. The partnership was a perfect mix of strong ball-striking and measured running between the wickets.
Once the partnership was broken, the Black Caps threatened to pull things back but the gamble to bowl Glenn Phillips in the 18th over backfired completely. The part-time offie was taken to the cleaners as he conceded 27 runs off the over, including two sixes and two fours along with a no-ball.
Waseem used all his experience to bat deep into the innings. Having played a considerable amount of franchise cricket to go with T20Is for UAE, the skipper paced his innings smartly and took calculated risks, especially after the dismissal of Sharafu. UAE would have preferred a better finish as they could have gone well past 180 at one stage.
New Zealand pulled things back a wee bit, just like they did in the game against Afghanistan on another good batting surface at Chepauk. The venue has seen decent batting decks - a new trend that has been witnessed in the last few years during the IPL as well.
