United Arab Emirates vs Afghanistan will meet in a Men’s International Twenty20 Match at Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, Sharjah on 1 September, with the contest starting at 19:30 IST (16:00 UK time). Sharjah’s iconic venue, known for its slow surfaces and passionate support for Asian cricket, sets the stage for an intriguing battle between the rising UAE and a powerful Afghanistan side.
Form Guide
United Arab Emirates
The UAE have shown steady improvement in T20 cricket, developing a team built around fearless young batters and a disciplined bowling attack. While their results against top-tier opposition have been limited, their familiarity with Sharjah conditions could give them an edge. They will look to challenge Afghanistan by maximising their spin options and making use of boundary-hitters in the middle order.
- Batting order still developing, reliant on impactful knocks from key players.
- Spinners likely to play a central role in Sharjah’s slow conditions.
- Home support and comfort in local conditions a potential advantage.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan continue to be one of the most exciting T20 outfits in world cricket, with a line-up stacked with power-hitters and world-class spinners. Their top order is capable of blistering starts, while their middle-order depth and spin trio make them particularly dangerous in Sharjah. They enter as strong favourites to extend their winning record against Associate nations.
- Top order filled with explosive stroke-makers capable of clearing boundaries easily.
- Bowling attack headlined by Rashid Khan, one of the best T20 spinners globally.
- Balanced team structure with quality seamers and aggressive allrounders.
Key Players
United Arab Emirates
- Muhammad Waseem – UAE’s most dangerous batter, known for his attacking starts in the powerplay.
- Rohan Mustafa – Experienced allrounder who provides crucial overs of off-spin and middle-order resilience.
- Junaid Siddique – Strike bowler with pace and bounce, tasked with dismantling Afghanistan’s top order.
Afghanistan
- Rashid Khan – The talismanic leg-spinner, lethal in Sharjah conditions with his variations.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Aggressive wicketkeeper-opener who sets the tempo with fearless hitting.
- Mohammad Nabi – Veteran allrounder offering composure with the bat and control with his off-spin.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The Sharjah surface is slow and low, traditionally favouring spinners while challenging stroke-makers who rely on pace. Batters who rotate strike and target the shorter boundaries tend to succeed. Dew in the evening may aid chasing teams, making the toss influential. Weather conditions are expected to be hot and dry, ensuring no interruptions.
United Arab Emirates vs Afghanistan – Prediction
The UAE will look to Muhammad Waseem for a powerplay surge and Rohan Mustafa to contribute with both bat and ball. However, Afghanistan’s superior depth and world-class spin options, led by Rashid Khan and supported by Rahmanullah Gurbaz at the top, give them a significant edge. Prediction: Afghanistan to secure a comfortable win in Sharjah.
Dream 11 Fantasy Picks
- Captain: Rashid Khan – guaranteed fantasy returns with his wicket-taking threat.
- Vice-captain: Muhammad Waseem – UAE’s most reliable batter, capable of a quick 50.
- Value pick: Rahmanullah Gurbaz – dangerous opener who can rack up fantasy points rapidly.
