UAE pulls off historic heist, becomes first associate nation to beat New Zealand in a T20I

New Zealand are currently touring UAE for a 3-match T20 series. After winning the first T20 by 19 runs midweek, the Kiwis faced a different UAE side, which seemingly came with a purpose. The hosts vanquished NZ in front of the Dubai crowd on Saturday and thereby levelled the series 1-1.

3 things you need to know

• UAE beat New Zealand by 7 wickets in the second of the 3-match T20 series
• New Zealand won the first encounter by 19 runs
• The final match of the series will take place on Sunday, August 20, 2023

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UAE overwhelms New Zealand in the second T20 of the bilateral series

On Saturday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates captain Muhammad Waseem scored 55 runs to help his team defeat New Zealand by seven wickets and tie the three-match T20 series. The UAE lost opener Aryansh Sharma in the first over of the run chase, but it did not have any lasting effect as Waseem and Vriitya Aravind (25) stabilised the innings, needing 143 to win after once more opting to bowl first. Waseem's 29-ball innings, which concluded when he skied left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner to extra cover, featured four fours and three sixes. Asif Khan completed the task with an undefeated 48 and whacked Tim Southee of New Zealand for three boundaries in the 16th over to secure a historic victory with 26 balls remaining.

The moment UAE defeated New Zealand and squared the three-match T20I series 1-1
🇦🇪🏏 pic.twitter.com/Heygr0Puu9

— UAE Cricket Official (@EmiratesCricket) August 19, 2023

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Ayan Afzal Khan emerges as match-winner with spectacular spell

The most notable contribution to New Zealand's 142-8 was made by Mark Chapman with 63. The only other batters for the visitors to reach double figures were Chad Bowes, the opener, and Jimmy Neesham, who both scored 21. The left-arm spinner Aayan Afzal Khan tore through the top order of New Zealand, bowled Santner and Dane Cleaver in back-to-back deliveries before getting Bowes stumped to register numbers of 3-20. Khan was adjudged as the man of the match for his spectacular spell. Thursday's opening game of the series was won by New Zealand by 19 runs. The same location- Dubai International Stadium- will host the series finale on Sunday.