The UAE ended their 2020 World Twenty20 West Asia preliminary qualifying campaign on a winning note as they thrashed Qatar by nine wickets in Friday’s final.
Both sides were already assured of a place in the Asia Qualifiers before a ball was bowled after finishing in the top two places in the group.
However, the UAE showed why they topped the standings with five consecutive wins with another dominant display in Kuwait.
Qatar posted 115 in their 20 overs after Mohammad Naveed (3-22) and Zahoor Khan (3-16) impressed with the ball, but the UAE were in always in control of their chase.
Ashfaq Ahmed (26) and wicket-keeper Ghulam Shabbir, who replaced Chirag Suri at the top of the innings, gave the team a solid start with a half-century stand.
Ahmed fell but Shabbir continued to pile on the runs and ended unbeaten on 63.
The 32-year-old was in fine form with the bat as he smashed eight boundaries and one six in his 46 deliveries.
At the other end, captain Rohan Mustafa was 30 not out as UAE reached their target with ease in the 15th over.
The result means the UAE ended the West Asia tournament with a 100 per cent record after beating Qatar, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain in the last seven days.
Among the players to impress for the UAE was youngster Fahad Nawaz, who had a memorable campaign in Kuwait.
The 18-year-old took four wickets in his two games including on his debut.
“It’s been a great learning experience for me,” he said.
“Being with the senior guys and competing with them was great and has boosted my confidence and my overall game.”
Joining Qatar and the UAE in the Asia Qualifiers – the next stage of the 2020 World Twenty20 qualifying are Kuwait who defeated Saudi Arabia by five runs earlier on Friday.
The trio will face the three best sides of Asia’s Eastern nations in the Asia Qualifiers.
The Asian East qualifiers that will be played in October, consists of Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Thailand.
