Alishan Sharafu steps up as UAE start ACC Premier Cup campaign with win over Kuwait

Alishan Sharafu was deprived of becoming just the third UAE player to score a T20 international century, but said all that mattered was getting a win at the start of Asia Cup qualifying.

The 21-year-old batter made 90 not out to guide the national team to a seven-wicket win over Kuwait in the first match of the ACC Premier Cup in Muscat.

He had appeared set for a ton, before a flurry of sixes by Asif Khan, his batting partner, hastened the UAE to victory, as they chased 179 with 15 balls to spare.

The duo shared an unbroken partnership of 153, which is the highest for the fourth wicket in the national team’s T20I history.

Only three players – captain Muhammad Waseem, Vriitya Aravind and Shaiman Anwar – have had a higher individual innings in the format than Sharafu’s effort.

It brought him the first player of the match award of his 39-game international career to date, and he is grateful for the faith that has been shown in him to this point.

“It [a match award] has been due for quite some time now, but credit to the management for backing me and letting me open the batting today,” Sharafu said. “Fortunately, I made it count.”

Basil Hameed and Ali Naseer took three wickets apiece as Kuwait made 178 for eight from their 20 overs.

Sharafu was opening for the first time, but might as well have kept his usual spot in the middle order, such was the troubled start to the UAE chase.

The middle order stepped of the UAE were brilliant in the second half!