On Wednesday, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) announced that the UAE men’s national team will lock horns with Australia in a one-off Twenty20 International at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on October 22. According to a media release issued by the ECB, the match, which will begin at 14:00 local time, will be free entry.
Currently, Australia is involved in the second Test against Pakistan which concludes on October 20. Both teams will then be involved in a three-match T20I series which begins from October 24.
Announcing about the same, Emirates Cricket Board Spokesperson, Zayed Abbas said, “We are delighted to announce this fixture. We are extremely grateful to the ICC for their support in accrediting the Abu Dhabi Oval for T20 International cricket at such a short notice. Our thanks to Cricket Australia for approaching this opportunity so positively, and especially to the Pakistan Cricket Board for permitting this match during their home tour in the UAE with Australia.”
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According to ECB chief selectors Waleed Bukhatir, the match will be a good test for players to face higher-ranked teams. He said, “This match will provide an exceptionally good test for our players. We need them to be put under pressure and focus more intently by being challenged by higher ranked, leading teams within our game.”
Meanwhile, UAE lost to Hong Kong in the final of the Asia Cup Qualifiers by two wickets (Duckworth Lewis method) at Kuala Lumpur last month.
The Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed (94) had built a strong partnership of 147 runs for the sixth wicket with opener Fakhar Zaman — who also scored 94 — to lift Pakistan from a precarious 57/5 to 282 all out at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Australia closed the day at 20/2, trailing by 262 runs with eight wickets in hand. However, the visitors were bundled out for a meager score of 145 before the Tea break on Day 2 of the Test in Abu Dhabi thanks to the 5-fer of Mohammad Abbas. Currently, the hosts are having the lead of more than 250 runs at the end of day 2.
