Walk in the park for world champions India

Thursday, 11 September 2025 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Kuldeep Yadav wrecked the UAE innings with figures of 4/7

Shivam Dube took a career-best 3/4

Alishan Sharafu’s cameo gave the UAE

a good start before the plunge

Roll over UAE for 57 to win by nine wickets

DUBAI: T20I world champions India started their Asia Cup campaign on a powerful note by simply brushing aside the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 9 wickets with 93 balls to spare at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

The UAE were no match for the powerful Indian side, as they were shot out for 57 after being invited to bat first. The opening stand of 26 by Alishan Sharafu (22) and skipper Muhammad Waseem (19) was the lone bright spot for the hosts.

The powerplay gave them 41 runs, but the moment Kuldeep Yadav came in, the UAE lost their way as he took three wickets in an over to finish with 4/7 and take the Player of the Match award.

However, the surprise package was part-timer Shivam Dube. He picked up a career-best three wickets for four runs in 10 balls to derail the innings.

India knocked the runs off in 4.3 overs to record their fastest chase in T20Is, with Abishek Sharma (30 off 16 balls, 2 fours, 3 sixes) and Shubman Gill (20* off 9 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) playing some breathtaking strokes.

The game didn’t even last 2 hours. The UAE were no match to this Indian side as they polished off the chase inside the powerplay.

It was a harsh lesson handed out to the UAE, who had come off a decent tri-series recently against Pakistan and Afghanistan; but yesterday, they were just simply overpowered by the world champions.

India stretched their wins in their last 21 T20Is to 18 with yesterday’s victory.

For Lalchand Rajput, an Indian who coached India to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, but now the UAE’s Head Coach, it was a tough task on his hands to try and match up with India.

Scores:

UAE 57 (13.1) (Alishan Sharafu 22, Muhammad Waseem 19, Kuldeep Yadav 4/7, Shivam Dube 3/4)

India 60-1 (4.3) (Abishek Sharma 30, Shubman Gill 20*)