In Read Scoops’ recent interview with UAE cricket captain, Rohan Mustafa (read interview here), we mentioned how his name will always pop up when we talk about some of the greatest all-round performances in the history of ODI cricket. Today, he proved his brilliance again, as UAE won their last group stage game of the 2018 Asia Cup Qualifiers, thus reaching the final of the tournament.
They played against Oman today, with their Asia Cup hopes on the line. They knew they needed a win and who better to guide them to this win than the captain himself? He anchored the UAE innings as wickets fell around him, eventually taking them up to a respectable score of 208/8 and giving his bowlers something to defend.
Oman would’ve fancied their chances in this chase, especially after some very good performances so far by them in this series. Aqib Ilyas got 45(43) for them early on, but he remained the top scorer as the UAE bowlers kept chipping away at the wickets, in what turned out to be an absolute thriller. Mustafa took over the reins, and decided to bring himself on, bowling a fantastic spell of 2/31 in his ten overs.
Mustafa’s tweet after the game:
And Yess!! Emirates Cricket qualified for the Final's of the Qualifiers. I cannot thank The Almighty Allah enough.
It was a very close game and each of us had to give our 200% to win this match. Well played by Oman Cricket, they played like true professionals.
— Rohan Mustafa (@rohanmustafa88) September 4, 2018
