The UAE women’s team are just one win away from title glory after defeating Kuwait by 29 runs in the International Women’s T20 Cup.
The hosts have been in fine form throughout this tournament and on Sunday was no exception as Ishani Seneviratna helped herself to four wickets in an impressive victory over the Gulf neighbours.
Kenya now stand in their way of lifting the trophy with the two teams meeting in Monday’s final at Sharjah Stadium after the African side edged past Uganda by one wicket.
It will be the second time the nations will clash in less than a week but the UAE can draw confidence from their six-run triumph in their first meeting.
But for UAE captain Humaira Tasneem, she is not reading too much into the past.
“We’re pretty excited to reach the final,” said the 21-year-old leg spinner. “That was our aim before the tournament started and we are happy to have done that now.
“Kenya are a strong side and they pushed us really close the last time we met. We know we can beat them but it’s what happens on the day. We have to go out there, focus and play like how we’ve been playing all week.”
As skipper, Tasneem is all too familiar with winning titles, having guided the team to the Gulf Cup 12 months ago in Qatar. But she insists reigning supreme on home soil would be among her best achievements.
“This is my biggest game as captain,” she said. “I’ve captained before but this is completely different as this is our home ground. It’s exciting and I’m overwhelmed but we are all raring to go and bring home the cup.”
Earlier, the UAE recovered from a poor start to reach 113-8 with Priyanjali Jain top-scoring with 30.
Kuwait were rattled early on, losing two wickets for just one run. Although Maryam Omar (26) and Varshini Suresh (14) steadied the ship, Seneviratna ran through the middle order to dismiss Kuwait for 84.
Brief scores: UAE bt Kuwait by 29 runs. UAE: 113-8 in 20 overs (Priyanjali Jain 30; Varshini Suresh 3-14). Kuwait: 84 all out in 19.4 overs (Maryam Omar 26, Ishani Seneviratna 4/18, Humaira Tasneem 2/14).
