Mohammed Jawadullah fit for decider as UAE chase more history against New Zealand

Mohammed Jawadullah is confident he will be fit to play in the deciding third T20 international against New Zealand on Sunday night.

The left-arm swing bowler was a revelation in the national team’s shock thrashing of the Black Caps in the second game.

He took two vital wickets and went for just 16 runs. That included having to re-bowl the last ball of his four overs as it was a waist-high no ball, then conceding three off the reload.

In the course of his extraordinary bowling effort against the world’s No 3 ranked T20I side, he twice had treatment for a calf injury.

Jawadullah said it was a recurrence of an old complaint and is sure it will not prevent him from taking his place in the side for the last game.

“I had this same thing about a year ago but I feel fit now and am confident I will be able to play,” Jawadullah said.

Saturday evening was giddying for UAE. Until that point, New Zealand had been the only country never to have lost a match against a non-Test playing nation.

And yet they were dominated by a UAE side which had seven players aged 24 or younger.

Aayan Khan, the 17-year-old spinner, was player of the match for his three-wicket haul. Captain Muhammad Waseem then led the way with a brutal half-century as the hosts chased the win with seven wickets and more than four overs to spare.

“I am really proud to have been part of this effort by the team,” Jawadullah, 24, said.

“It is a very historic day, beating a team like New Zealand. It is phenomenal for our entire group, and I am very happy. It is one of the proudest days for me in my cricket journey.”

Jawadullah’s excellence belies the fact he only turned professional recently. Up until earlier this year he was working as an electrician at Al Ain Golf Club.