UAE women win Asian T20 title, equal world record for longest unbeaten run

The UAE women’s cricket team capped their qualification for the Asia Cup by clinching the Asian T20 Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday.

In the final, they defeated hosts Malaysia by five wickets. It was the UAE’s 20th win on the trot and in the process, they equalled the world record for the longest unbeaten run in T20 international cricket set by England in 2012.

Batting first, Malaysia made 100 for four in their 20 overs with Ainna Hamizah Hashim top scoring for the hosts with an unbeaten 28 that had three boundaries. Nur Arianna Natsya made 25 from 24 balls with two boundaries. Opener Wan Julia scored 20. UAE medium pacer Indhuja Nandakumar picked two wickets for 17.

Opener Theertha Satish cracked 55 from 42 deliveries that was peppered with nine boundaries as the UAE knocked off the target in 18.4 overs with five wickets in hand.

Theertha was adjudged the Player of the Match.

Esha Oza, who has been in rich vein of form, scoring 192 runs from six matches, which included a century, was named the Batter Of The Tournament. She had hit five sixes and 27 fours over the course of the tournament.

The UAE and Malaysia had already qualified for the Asia Cup which will be held later this year.

Top performers for UAE in Asian T20 Championships

Most runs

Esha Oza 192 runs from 6 matches (highest 115)

Theertha Satish 170 runs from 6 matches (highest 55 not out)

Kavisha Kumari 85 runs from 6 matches (highest 45 not out)

Most wickets

Indhuja Nandakumar 7 wickets from 6 matches (best 4/10)

Suraksha Kotte 6 wickets from 5 matches (best 4/11)

Chaya Mughal 6 wickets from 6 matches (best 3/9)