The United Arab Emirates (UAE) remain optimistic about their chances of reaching the semi-finals of the Women's T20 Asia Cup, held in Dubai, following a confident victory over Indonesia on Friday. This win allowed the team to recover from their loss to Sri Lanka in the first match of Group G, where they were defeated by nine wickets.
The tournament hosts managed an impressive comeback, scoring 71 runs against debuting Indonesia, and then accumulating the necessary points in just 13.1 overs while losing four batsmen.
UAE captain Esha Oza played a key role in securing the victory, taking two wickets with her spin bowling and scoring 30 runs as an opening batter. Hina Hochdandi, a left-arm spinner, was also a bright star, claiming two wickets for only six runs, which helped suppress the inexperienced Indonesian players on the slow pitch.
This victory sustains UAE's dream of reaching the semi-finals, but to achieve this goal, they must win their final group match against experienced Bangladesh on Tuesday. It is worth noting that Friday's result was UAE's only second victory in the Asia Cup, as the team participated in the continental event for the first time in 2022.
Previously, UAE had won against Malaysia in 2022, but in the next tournament in 2024, they lost all three matches against Nepal, Pakistan, and India. Achieving a second victory in the tournament's history and maintaining hope for the semi-finals is a significant achievement for the country, which struggled to form an 11-player squad more than 15 years ago.
Hochdandi shared her joy after the victory with her family at the Dubai International Stadium. The 25-year-old athlete stated: 'Getting this at home ground, in front of our families, I think it means a lot to us. So we are very happy with this win. I hope we have another good game, and then we will advance.' She added that the primary objective was to secure a win, regardless of the score difference, which represented a clear boost in self-confidence.
Currently, with two points after two matches, the UAE is in third place in Group B, trailing Bangladesh, which has two points after one match and a better net run rate. Hochdandi admitted that the UAE will be rooting for Sri Lanka (which has four points after two matches) when the defending champions meet Bangladesh on Sunday. A Sri Lanka victory over Bangladesh would increase UAE's chances of reaching the semi-finals, as the net run rate would no longer be the deciding factor.
The young all-rounder also highly praised the inspiring leadership and fantastic skills of Esha Oza, former ICC Player of the Month, who once again demonstrated her abilities on Friday. Oza's leadership, bowling, and crucial contribution of 30 runs played a decisive role in the UAE's triumph. Hochdandi noted that for the young players on the team, Esha serves as an example, whether through her leadership, bowling, or batting. She emphasized that Oza is often the backbone of the team in winning matches, and the team feels very fortunate to have her in their squad.