Read the articles of UAE vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I 2016 - Afghanistan tour of United Arab Emirates (UAE) 3-match Twenty20 international series of the 2nd T20I match played between Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai in 16th December 2016.
Najibullah Zadran heroics unbeaten 55 helped to Afghanistan thrilling five-wicket victory over UAE and took a unassailable 2-0 lead to clinch the two-match series in the high-scoring thriller of the series T20 international.
Afghanistan chased 183 for 5 (Najibullah Zadran 55*, Mohammad Shahzad 31, Amjad Javed 3-40) United Arab Emirates scored 179 for 4 (Shaiman Anwar 60, Rameez Shahzad 47, Fareed Ahmad 2-39)
This match reported by ESPNcricinfo Staff (Third Party Reference from ESPNcricinfo)
Najibullah Zadran's unbeaten 55 helped Afghanistan overcome a wobble and secure a final-over win against United Arab Emirates that gave them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Zadran, who walked in to bat at No. 7, hit five fours and three sixes in his 25-ball knock to chase down United Arab Emirates' 179 for 4 with two balls to spare.
At the halfway mark in the second innings, UAE had the aces - Afghanistan needed 101 off the last 60 balls. That equation became tougher when Usman Ghani, Asghar Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari fell in the space of four overs to leave Afghanistan needing 64 off six overs. Najibullah broke the shackles by smashing Mohammad Shahzad for two sixes and a four to pocket an 19-run over that tilted the scales in Afghanistan's favour.
UAE, who opted to bat, lost Mohammad Shahzad in the third over. Rohan Mustafa and Shaiman Anwar gave the innings a lift with a sprightly second-wicket stand of 74 before legspinner Rashid Khan struck. Mustafa missed an attempted nudge across the line to be given out lbw.
That wicket, however, did little to derail UAE's momentum as Anwar batted through to make 60 before being dismissed off the final ball. He struck four fours and three sixes as UAE smashed 65 off the last five overs. It didn't prove enough in the face of Najibullah's late onslaught.
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