UAE vs OMA | Twitter laments as Shakeel's experience fails him on big stage against rampant hosts
Competing at the elite level takes more than just rudimentary skills -- it requires athleticism, the required preparation, and the bandwidth to apply all that when it actually matters. Oman showed in Abu Dhabi on Monday why they are still a step away from joining those ranks with a routine drop.
United Arab Emirates flipped the tables on Oman after a scratchy start in their Asia Cup encounter to rack up 50 runs in the powerplay without any loss. Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu were unafraid to play their shots whenever the opportunity arose, an approach that ultimately brought the visitors a chance in the 10th over. However, the fielder was not positioned near enough to the rope as Waseem's hoick went past his head and crossed the boundary ropes on one bounce, much to Sharafu's delight Oman's despair. Little did the side know more pain awaited them as the innings went on.
In the very next over after the mishap, skipper Waseem decided to take on medium-pacer Jiten Ramanandi as he went down on one knee on the fourth ball and tried to slog the Kookaburra over the leg-side fence. However, the veteran could only manage a top-edge and the ball soared into the afternoon sky with 37-year-old Shakeel Ahmed settling under it near short square-leg. The catch was all but a formality yet somehow Shakeel not only failed to grab the ball but barely made a proper attempt at it before the white rock burst through his palms, leaving the Oman contingent with their face in their hands.
To Ramanandi's credit, a brilliant full ball ended Sharafus innings just a couple deliveries later but the moral damage had already been done.
What on earth is this?
— Why_Benstokes (@benstokes94425) September 15, 2025
Good for him!
Batting promotion for Asif Khan.#UAEvsOMAN #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/I6a1iu26DO
— Khurram Dilawar Choudhry (KDC) (@khurram333) September 15, 2025
Good game on!
🇦🇪 UAE 🆚 Oman 🇴🇲
— Himalayan Cricket Arena (@himcricarena) September 15, 2025
UAE : 56-0 (7 overs)
Mohammad Waseem - 17(16)
Alishan Sharafu - 36(26)#UAEvsOMAN #AsiaCup2025 #AsiaCup
Nice!
It's toss time at the Asia Cup 2025! 🇦🇪 Oman have won the toss and decided to bowl first against the UAE. Who are you backing?
— Monsterkrishna (@Monsterkrishna7) September 15, 2025
#AsiaCup2025 #T20Cricket #UAEvsOMAN#UAECricket #OmanCricket #InsideFieldSports
Really?
UAE vs OMAN
— Anas Abid 🇵🇸 (@anasabid7420) September 15, 2025
Winner: UAE #AsiaCup #AsiaCup2025 #UAEvsOMAN
Well played!
Caution 🔁 Aggression
— Tehseen Ullah (@Tehseen_3686) September 15, 2025
Alishan Sharafu’s calculated yet aggressive knock of 5️⃣1️⃣ set up a platform for his side to build on.#UAEvOMAN #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #ACC pic.twitter.com/YFmndmAWrR
Nice!
Most 50+ scores in T20Is before turning 23
— Karthik Raj (@kartcric) September 15, 2025
Meet Bhavsar (Kuwait) - 12
Louis Bruce (Gilbraltar) - 12
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG) - 11
Alishan Sharafu (UAE) - 10 (includes fifties against Bangladesh and Pakistan)
He is having a lucky day!
Mohammad Waseem has been gifted two lives already, whereas Alishan Sharafu has just been dismissed for 51 off 38 deliveries.
— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) September 15, 2025
Jiten deserved this wicket.