Dubai: The UAE, termed the weakest team taking part in the Asia Cup T20 championship in Bangladesh, shocked ICC Twenty20 World Cup-bound Afghanistan in the opening match at the Fatullah stadium.

Rohan Mustafa produced a splendid all-round show, cracking 77 runs and then bagging three crucial wickets for 19 runs to ensure his team a 16-run victory.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, the UAE posted 176 for 4 in 20 overs. The formidable Afghanistan team were bowled out for 160 in 19.5 overs.

Speaking to Gulf News from Fatullah, Mazhar Khan, the manager of the UAE team, said: “It’s a wonderful victory. The boys outclassed Afghanistan in all departments of the game. Rohan’s show was simply brilliant. This victory is a big boost for the team.”

Mustafa, who was promoted as opener, gave the UAE a splendid start with Mohammad Kaleem by putting on 83 runs in 8.5 overs. Kaleem was the first to go bowled by Rashid Khan for 25. Shaiman Anwar and Mustafa steered the UAE past the 100-run mark in the 11th over. Though Shaiman fell for 11, Mustafa maintained the run flow. Most of Mustafa’s sixes were huge, starting with his hit over square leg off Amir Hamza. Two out of his four sixes were hit off fearsome left-arm pacer Shapoor Zadran. Mustafa’s knock came off 50 balls with seven fours and four sixes.

After Mustafa left in the 14th over, Usman Mushtaq, through an unbeaten 23, and Mohammad Shahzad, with an unconquered 25, ensured a creditable total.

Chasing the score, Afghanistan lost early wickets. Left-arm orthodox bowler Farhan Ahmad clean-bowled the dangerous Mohammad Shahzad for 6, while medium pacer Mohammad Naveed removed opener Usman Gani for 3. Amjad Javed clean-bowled next man Asghar Stanikzai for 6. Afghanistan, three down for 37, fought back through Karim Sadiq (72) and Mohammad Nabi (23) — but Mustafa with three wickets from three overs quickly ended Afghanistan’s innings.

Brief scores:

UAE bt Afghanistan by 16 runs. UAE 176 for 4 in 20 overs (Rohan Mustafa 77, Mohammad Kaleem 25, Usman Mushtaq 23 n.o, Mohammad Shahzad 25 n.o, Rashid Khan 3 for 25) Afghanistan 160 in 19.5 overs (Karim Sadiq 72, Mohammad Nabi 23, Najibullah Zadran 21, Mohammad Naveed 2 for 29, Farhan Ahmad 2 for 28, Rohan Mustafa 3 for 19).

Man of the match: Rohan Mustafa