UAE VS AFG - 2nd T20I, Afghanistan tour of United Arab Emirates 2023-24

That's it from us for this game. We will back on 2nd Jan 2024 for the series decider. Till then wish you all a Happy New Year and party safe. Be well and we will see you soon. Bye.

Muhammad Waseem | UAE captain: It's a good achievement by us. When I saw the wicket, I have faith on myself and on my boys. If we scored 150, the wicket was seaming last game. I was telling Aryan, don't give wicket only, last game we gave wickets that's why we couldn't score much. After my wicket he played a sensible knock. [on him being a safe catcher] Before I started playing, I was just a fielder for 2 years, did not bat or bowl that's why. Preparation will be very simple, go with our plans and we will try to play good cricket and win the series.

Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan captain: To be honest, I tried to take some time like I did in the last game but unfortunately it did not go our way. We tried to execute the plan like the last game but it did not go our way. There was some pressure in chasing, for me as a player I always enjoy while chasing. I'm not happy with the shot I played, we did more mistakes in batting, we did not create partnerships which was needed to chase 160. [on Nabi] He is the most senior player in the team, he has the most experience, we also expect that from him. We did not have wickets in our hand at the end, that's why we lost. There is no need to think a lot, we will keep it simple. We will come with positive energy and it's part of the game, we will try to win the series.

Ali Naseer | Player of the Match: Waseem bhai helped me a lot. The wicket was good and I tried to bowl a hard length. Over the past 6-7 months I have played West Indies, Sri Lanka and bowling to the best players has helped me a lot today. I was watching Ihsanullah bowling in the last PSL and his celebrations and I took inspiration from that [on his bow and arrow celebration after a wicket].

21:43 Local Time, 17:43 GMT, 23:13 IST: Superb win by UAE. They have levelled the series 1-1. Nabi tried his best to conjure up a miracle but failed at the very end. Chasing 167, Afghanistan started well but soon lost wickets and there was no substantial partnerships from them. Ali Naseer and Jawadullah shared 8 wickets and it was just Nabi standing between them and a win. Akif Raja who had given away 25 in his 2 overs was given 19 runs to defend in the last over and he came out on top. After being hammered in the opening game, UAE have come back well to register an upset. Do stay tuned for the post-match presentation...

Akif Raja to Nabi, out Caught by Aryan Lakra!! UAE have done it. They hold on to their nerve. A slower ball wide outside off, Nabi throws his bat but the thick outside-edge loops to backward point who takes it and ends the game. Akif Raja has taken this game to the decider. Nabi c Aryan Lakra b Akif Raja 47(27) [4s-5 6s-2]

Akif Raja to Nabi, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Two sixes needed for Afghanistan to win unless Akif Raja bowls a wide or a no-ball. Nabi and Fazalhaq Farooqi have a chat. Waseem has a word with his bowler.

Akif Raja to Nabi, 2 runs, slower ball dug in outside off, Nabi flat-bats it over extra-cover, over the fielder, two they take

14 off 3

Akif Raja to Nabi, no run, slower ball wide outside off, Nabi steers to sweeper cover, straight to the fielder and Nabi is cursing himself, had he left that was a wide

Akif Raja to Nabi, SIX, full and in the slot on the stumps, Nabi clears his front leg and launches this over wide long-on, sails away

20 off 5!

Akif Raja to Nabi, no run, a slower ball on a good length outside off, Nabi mistimes the cut to extra-cover and does not take the run

Akif Raja [2.0-0-25-0] is back into the attack

So Afghanistan need 20 off 6. Akif has the ball. He has had a poor night. Can he redeem himself? Nabi on strike.

Junaid Siddique to Fazalhaq Farooqi, no run, fine delivery and so so close to the outside-edge. Full and snaking back in, Fazalhaq Farooqi tries to push but is beaten on the outside-edge. Not far from off-stump either

Junaid Siddique to Nabi, 1 run, full on the stumps, flicked to deep mid-wicket on the bounce and takes the run, gives Fazalhaq Farooqi the strike

Tense faces all around. Fazalhaq Farooqi has a word with Nabi.

Junaid Siddique to Nabi, FOUR, a low full-toss on the stumps, Nabi stays back and flicks powerfully to the deep mid-wicket fence, no-one there and it's now 21 needed off 8