Dubai: The UAE women wrote a new chapter in their cricketing history by qualifying for the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup qualifiers to be held in Netherlands by winning four out of their five matches in the ICC Women’s T20 Asian qualifiers.
Starting with a win over China in the opening match, they went on to defeat Nepal, Hong Kong and Malaysia to clinch a place in the final. They will meet Thailand in the final on Monday. The finalists will join the other finalists of the ICC qualifiers from Europe/America, East Asia-Pacific and Africa.
In the crucial match against Malaysia on Sunday, UAE’s Nisha Ali and Udeni Dona ensured an impressive total of 83 for six wickets in 20 overs. Nisha hit an unbeaten 36 runs off 51 balls with two boundaries while Dona scored a quick 22 runs off 26 balls with two boundaries.
Together, they lifted UAE from 23 for three through a crucial 46-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Malaysia were restricted to 49 for nine in 20 overs through tight bowling with Nisha taking two wickets for six runs from her four overs. UAE’s fielding was brilliant with skipper Humaira Tasneem producing three run outs.
Speaking to Gulf News, Nisha, who is a physical education teacher at the JSS Private School, said: “It’s an amazing feeling to reach World Cup qualifiers. It was everyone’s hard work, determination and most important team work that helped us to win matches.” Nisha had won three Player of the match awards in this tournament against Nepal, Hong Kong and Malaysia,
When asked whether the team expected to reach the final in their very first ICC tournament, Nisha said: “We have been practicing hard. Some of us are experienced expatriates and our skills are good and that is the advantage of the team. Performing here is a good exposure.”
By virtue of this performance, the UAE will now play against Asian Test playing countries. Mazhar Khan, the Administrator of Emirates Cricket Board, who had played a crucial role in promoting women’s cricket, said: “It is a proud moment for UAE women’s cricket and it show that the efforts put in over the past six years by ECB has helped team clinch a place in the world map. By virtue of this achievement, the UAE will get to play in the ACC Women’s Asia Cup in February 2018 alongside India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.”
