Debutants UAE made a dream start to their Women’s 2018 World Twenty20 Qualifier campaign as they stunned hosts Netherlands by six wickets in a thrilling finish.
Needing eight off the last over in their chase of 138, the UAE lost Udeni Dona in the first ball but former Sri Lanka international Chamani Seneviratna hit the winning boundary with two balls to spare to seal a historic win.
It was the first time the UAE, captained by Humaira Tasneem, had beaten a European nation in their 11-year history and boosts their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
Although Seneviratna scored the winning runs, the platform was set thanks to a solid partnership between Nisha Ali and Chaya Mughal. After losing opener Esha Oza with just five on the board, the UAE were up against it but Mughal and Ali came together to frustrate the Dutch bowlers with a 110-run stand.
Ali showed why she was named the best player of the Asian qualifiers in November with a superb half-century with her 69 runs coming off 59 deliveries. The 31-year-old hit nine fours in that knock while Mughal kept the run-rate going with a crucial 36 off 41 deliveries.
With 23 from 18 deliveries, the momentum was with the UAE but in the space of four deliveries, both were sent back to the pavilion.
Although Dona fell in the last over, Seneviratna kept her cool to hit the much needed boundary and give debutants UAE the perfect start.
#THESEGIRLSROCK! #UAE WIN their opening #Women's #WT20 #Global #qualifier over #Netherlands ! https://t.co/4LnVanNN4m … #OneDreamOneTeam #OurTeamUAE@ANIBDXB @tykasports @ICCAcademy
— UAE Cricket Official (@EmiratesCricket) July 7, 2018
Earlier, the UAE started positively with the ball as Subha Srinivasan removed captain Heather Siegers (11) in the third over.
Despite their best efforts, the UAE had to wait for more than 10 overs to get their second scalp. Heena Hotchandani dismissed Denise Hannema (23) to break an 80-run partnership before returning again in the 18th over to claim her second of the day.
By the time Netherlands ended their innings in the 20th over, the UAE were set a target of 138 following an unbeaten 88-run knock from opener Stere Kalis.
The UAE, who are appearing in only their second ICC tournament, can make the last-four if they defeat Papua New Guinea on Sunday. If they lose that, they will have another chance when they take on Asian T20 champions Bangladesh on Tuesday.
