UAE script history by defeating New Zealand by 7 wickets to level series 1-all

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Captain Muhammad Waseem led the UAE to a remarkable seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the second T20I match in Dubai on Saturday (August 19), levelling the three-match series.

Waseem started cautiously, scoring 16 runs off 13 balls before unleashing his aggressive side. He hit four fours and three sixes, reaching his fifty off just 27 balls and giving the UAE a strong start in their chase of 143 runs.

At the end of the powerplay, UAE were at 44/2 thanks to Vriitya Aravind's contribution of 25 runs off 21 balls. However, it was Waseem who took charge from there.

In the first over after the powerplay, Waseem showed more intent by hitting a four against Mitchell Santner and a six against Kyle Jamieson. He continued his onslaught with a four and another six against Cole McConchie before smashing Santner for another six to reach his fifty.

Although Waseem fell soon after reaching his milestone, it wasn't enough for New Zealand to put pressure on the hosts. Asif Khan played responsibly alongside Basil Hameed as they frustrated New Zealand further with their partnership. While UAE hadn't secured victory yet, that changed in the 15th over when Khan hit James Neesham for two fours.

Khan followed it up with a six against Tim Southee in the next over, bringing UAE closer to an unforgettable win. Two more fours followed as UAE celebrated their first T20I victory over a Test-playing nation other than Ireland and Afghanistan.

Earlier in the match, New Zealand lost early wickets once again. Tim Seifert was dismissed in the third over while Aayan Khan took back-to-back wickets of Mitchell Santner and Dane Cleaver.

Mark Chapman stood tall for New Zealand with his innings of 63 runs off 46 balls but received little support apart from Neesham's contribution of 21 runs off 17 balls. New Zealand's total of 142, their lowest against a non-Test playing nation, was not enough to deter the spirited UAE side.