Dubai
The UAE cricket team secured their place in the 2025 Asia Cup after defeating Oman by 55 runs in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup final. Led by skipper Muhammad Waseem and young batter Alishan Sharafu, they showcased exceptional performances. Waseem smashed a century off 56 balls, while Sharafu contributed 34 runs to their opening partnership of 94 runs. With a total of 204 runs on the board, the bowling duo of Junaid Siddique and Aayan Afzal Khan restricted Oman to 149-9 in their 20 overs.
Sharafu emerged as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 278 runs in six innings, continuing his fine form from the DP World ILT20. Waseem, who narrowly missed out on being the top scorer, emphasized the team’s unity and credited their coach Lalchand Rajput.
The UAE team’s success owes much to their exposure in the DP World ILT20, where they played alongside top international cricketers. Players like Aayan Afzal Khan, Junaid Siddique, and Ali Naseer showcased their talents, benefiting from the experience gained in the league.
The UAE’s qualification for the Asia Cup marks a significant milestone after nearly a decade, highlighting the developmental role of ILT20 in UAE cricket.
