The UAE may have lost one of their finest prospects to England in recent days, but they continue to progress at pace in the women’s game after sealing qualification for the global T20 World Cup Qualifier.
Esha Oza struck 85 then took the winning wicket as the national team overpowered Hong Kong in the semi-final of Asia qualifying in Kuala Lumpur.
They will play Thailand in the final on Saturday in the knowledge that both sides have secured their place in the next phase of qualifying.
“We have been working hard for the past weeks and months and finally we are there,” said Oza, who was given the player-of-the-match award after the 57-run win.
“We have been getting better in each and every game because we have been playing tougher opposition as we have gone forward, and I think as a team we played our best game today.
“We clicked as a team and that has helped us go to the next level.”
The competition in Malaysia has coincided with Mahika Gaur, the former UAE fast bowler, playing her debut series for England.
Although she is now no longer available to the country where she learnt her cricket, the UAE’s excellence in Kuala Lumpur shows that there is still an enviable amount of talent emerging in the women’s game in the Emirates.
Oza, who was the ICC’s Associate women’s cricketer of the year for 2022, struck her highest score of the competition so far.
She shared a partnership of 120 with Kavisha Kumari as UAE posted 141-4 from their 20 overs.
A double strike from Suraksha Kotte undermined the Hong Kong chase before it had got going.
Chaya Mughal, Samaira Dharnidharka, Vaishnave Mahesh, Khushi Sharma and Oza all contributed wickets as Hong Kong were bowled out for 84.
“I have been continuing the momentum from the games before and when things go your way in cricket, they just go your way,” Oza said.
The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to be played in Bangladesh in September and October of next year.
The date and destination of the final qualifying event – from which the final two teams for the main tournament will be decided – is yet to be confirmed.
It will be a 10-team competition. Thailand and the UAE are two of five sides who are already confirmed for the event, along with Vanuatu, Ireland and Scotland.
The national team have played at a global qualifier once before, in Abu Dhabi last year. Although they did not progress from that, they did claim their most notable scalp to date when they beat Zimbabwe.
Ahmed Raza, their coach, believes they will be better placed to compete when they play at the next qualifier.
“Most of this team played in that qualifier, and now they are two years older and smarter,” Raza said.
“When we go to the qualifiers this time around it will be different. Our first aim was to get the World Cup.
“There are boxes to tick along the way. Nothing beats playing at a World Cup and we haven’t done that before [in the women’s game], and this is another opportunity.
“We need to find out who will be in the World Cup so that we can start preparing in the next few months to ensure we are well equipped to go for it.”
The%20specs
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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
FIXTURES
Saturday
5.30pm: Shabab Al Ahli v Al Wahda
5.30pm: Khorfakkan v Baniyas
8.15pm: Hatta v Ajman
8.15pm: Sharjah v Al Ain
Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
8.15pm: Al Nasr v Al Wasl
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs: 2019 Lincoln MKC
Price, base / as tested: Dh169,995 / Dh192,045
Engine: Turbocharged, 2.0-litre, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 253hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 389Nm @ 2,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.7L / 100km
The lowdown
Badla
Rating: 2.5/5
Produced by: Red Chillies, Azure Entertainment
Director: Sujoy Ghosh
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Amrita Singh, Tony Luke
The Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
If you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Chicago from Dh5,215 return including taxes.
The hotels
Recommended hotels include the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, located in an iconic skyscraper complete with a 1929 Olympic-size swimming pool from US$299 (Dh1,100) per night including taxes, and the Omni Chicago Hotel, an excellent value downtown address with elegant art deco furnishings and an excellent in-house restaurant. Rooms from US$239 (Dh877) per night including taxes.
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Seoul from Dh3,775 return, including taxes
The package
Ski Safari offers a seven-night ski package to Korea, including five nights at the Dragon Valley Hotel in Yongpyong and two nights at Seoul CenterMark hotel, from £720 (Dh3,488) per person, including transfers, based on two travelling in January
The info
Visit www.gokorea.co.uk
MATCH INFO
Delhi Daredevils 174-4 (20 ovs)
Mumbai Indians 163 (19.3 ovs)
Delhi won the match by 11 runs
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. Vikram%20Vedha
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The specs: 2019 BMW X4
Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.0L / 100km
