Ayaan Misbah stars as UAE retain ACC Men's U16 West Zone Cup 2025

Dubai: Skipper Ayaan Misbah scored an impressive century to defeat Kuwait by 145 runs to retain the ACC Men's U6 West Zone Cup trophy in Doha, Qatar.

UAE remained undefeated in the six-team tournament that also featured hosts Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Opting to bat first, UAE began on a high note with opener Misbah and Shahshank Mantra (37) sharing a crucial 89-run partnership.

Wickets kept falling at the other end but Misbah continued to score at an impressive pace as he hammered a fine 143 off just 131 deliveries that included 15 boundaries and four sixes.

Aryan Thapar provided some late fireworks to score a 57-ball 64 consisting of three boundaries and a six as UAE posted an brilliant 317 for nine in 50 overs.

Ahmed Khudadad (25) and Raizal Nadir Shah (31) were the other crucial contributors.

For Kuwait, Aryan Panwar claimed three wickets.

Chasing a big target, Kuwait were under pressure from the start losing wickets at regular intervals.

Barring a few performances, Kuwait were nowhere in the reckoning as they folded up for 172 in 43.1 overs.

Opener Ummer Abbas topscored with 43 while Pradyot Giri (33) and Kandarp Purohit (28) were among the other scorers.

For UAE, Nasim Khan was the pick of the bowlers claiming four wickets in his 7.1 overs who ran through Kuwait's middle order. Aryan Thapar provided him ample support with a three-wicket haul.

The Emirates Cricket Board congratulated the UAE team on their remarkable victory. “The Emirates Cricket Board is delighted with the U16 team’s performance in Doha which has resulted in the successful defence of the ACC Men’s U16 West Zone Cup which the team had won last year in Sharjah.

“The Emirates Cricket Board will continue to provide opportunities to these youngsters who are the future stars of UAE cricket. We wish the players and the coaching staff the very best in the pursuit of their cricketing dreams and ambitions,” ECB said in a statement.