New-look UAE fall to T20 series defeat against Bangladesh

The new-look UAE side continue to be dealt stern lessons, as they subsided to a series defeat against Bangladesh at Dubai International Stadium.

The 32-run loss in the second game was their fourth defeat in the five T20 internationals they have played since the start of their ultimately doomed Asia Cup qualifying campaign last month. Their sole win in that time has come against lowly-ranked Singapore.

The slump in form marks a stark contrast to what went before it. The national team won eight matches out of 10 as they sealed qualification for the T20 World Cup in fine style back in February.

The changed times have been personified by the sight of Ahmed Raza, the former captain, ferrying drinks to his erstwhile colleagues in the past four games. His fellow stalwart, Rohan Mustafa, is now out of the squad altogether.

In their stead are a collection of new prospects with much cramming to do if they are to be successful when they play the first round of the T20 World Cup in Australia next month.

And yet, despite giving up years of experience to their celebrated rivals, it was the new recruits who glimmered brightest in defeat.

Aayan Afzal Khan, the 16-year-old whizz-kid from Sharjah, took two more wickets, a couple of days after making his debut for the senior national team.

He doubled up with another of the bright young things of the game in the Emirates for both. Karthik Meiyappan, 21, took catches to bring Aayan each of his dismissals – the second of which was a brilliant effort tumbling forward in the outfield to get rid of Afif Hossain.

Leg-spinner Meiyappan impressed with the ball, himself, with 1-29 from his four overs.

The pick of the UAE attack was the player to whom Meiyappan was understudy as captain in Under 19s