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ILT20 Gulf 2024: UAE Clinch Maiden Title with Late Drama Against Kuwait

Emirates Edge Kuwait by Two Runs to Claim First ILT20 Gulf Cricket Title

UAE Clinch Maiden ILT20 Gulf Cricket Championship Title in Thrilling Finale Against Kuwait

New Delhi: The United Arab Emirates won their maiden ILT20 Gulf Cricket Championship title by two runs in a nail-biting match against Kuwait at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

In a closely contested final, the UAE defended a modest total of 153 against a spirited Kuwaiti side.

Opting to bat first, the UAE started cautiously as openers Muhammad Waseem and Tanish Suri struggled to find momentum. Waseem fell early for 1, but Alishan Sharafu’s 28 off 17 balls, with three 4s and two 6s, provided the much-needed boost.

Contributions from Tanish Suri (32 off 34 balls) and Rahul Chopra (28 off 17 balls) stabilized the innings as the run rate gradually rose.

However, Kuwait’s bowlers responded at crucial moments. Yasin Patel and Sayed Monib took three wickets each, while Meet Bhavsar’s economical spell of 2/16 was supported by the pacer.
In reply, Kuwait, courtesy of Junaid Siddique (1/42) and Dhruv Parashar (1/26), managed to weather the early slump, losing two wickets in the opening two overs.

Kuwait’s only hope at the crucial moment, Bhavsar, maintained the innings with a 54-ball 72, including 6 4s and 3 6s.
Despite losing partners, Bawsher, along with Yasin Patel (15 off 8), kept Kuwait on the edge.

Patel’s big hits in successive deliveries in the final over reduced the tie to 8 runs in the final over.
The last over bowled by Mohammad Jawadullah was a spectacle of cricket drama.

A wide ball followed by a boundary from Bhavsar put Kuwait within striking distance. However, Jawadullah kept his composure and dismissed Bawsar, the fast bowler falling to a slow delivery and giving an easy catch to Nilansh Keswani.

With three runs needed off four balls, Jawadullah bowled Mohamad Shafeeq to the ball in his first delivery to secure a historic two-run victory for the UAE.

While Meet Bhavsar’s heroic knock was widely praised, he could not take Kuwait to the top when it mattered most. On the other hand, Jawadullah (2/28) played a key role in a nerve-wracking final order.

The victory not only crowned the UAE champions but also cemented their growing prominence in the Gulf cricket scene, capped off a tournament filled with excitement and high-quality cricket.

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