With their victory over Japan on Thursday, UAE have joined Nepal and hosts Oman to complete the 20-team lineup for next year\u2019s global tournament in the shortest format, to be held in India and Sri Lanka.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Muhammad Waseem\u2019s side delivered a clinical performance to eliminate Japan from qualifying contention with an eight-wicket win at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground. Their thumping victory also dashed the hopes of Qatar and Samoa, who needed a Japanese win to stay in the race for playing in the mega event.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
UAE\u2019s fielding set the tone early, as Japan stumbled to 25\/3 in the powerplay and never fully recovered, despite a late rally led by wicketkeeper Wataru Miyauchi. Playing his first match of the tournament and coming at number nine, Miyauchi struck an unbeaten 45 off 32 balls, and was supported by number eleven Abdul Samad in a 42-run stand that lifted Japan to 116\/9.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For the UAE, Haider Ali starred with the ball, finishing with figures of 3-12 from three overs. UAE\u2019s chase began with intent, as Waseem and Alishan Sharafu powered the side to 36\/0 within three overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
UAE\u2019s fielding set the tone early, as Japan stumbled to 25\/3 in the powerplay and never fully recovered, despite a late rally led by wicketkeeper Wataru Miyauchi. Playing his first match of the tournament and coming at number nine, Miyauchi struck an unbeaten 45 off 32 balls, and was supported by number eleven Abdul Samad in a 42-run stand that lifted Japan to 116\/9.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The UAE will now be playing in a Men\u2019s T20 World Cup for just the third time. They last featured in the mega event in 2022, when they exited in the group stage in Australia. Their sole win in that tournament came through a memorable seven-run victory over Namibia in Geelong.<\/p>\r\n\r\n