United Arab Emirates defeated Qatar by 92 runs in the 3rd match of Group B at the ACC Men’s Premier Cup.
Match Summary
- Date: August 31, 2026
- Venue: Kuala Lumpur
- UAE Score: 263/9 in 50 overs
- Qatar Score: 171 all out in 37.3 overs
- Player of the Match: Adeeb Usmani (scored 92 runs off 106 balls for UAE)
The United Arab Emirates made a strong start to their ACC Men’s Premier Cup campaign with a convincing 92-run victory over Qatar in their Group B match at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur, on Monday, August 31.
UAE won the toss and decided to bat first. They posted an impressive 263/9 in 50 overs, with wicketkeeper-batter Adeeb Usmani playing a key role in building the innings. Qatar, in reply, were bowled out for 171 in 37.3 overs, ending their chase well short of the target.
Adeeb Usmani Leads UAE’s Batting
UAE did not have the easiest start with the bat, reaching 53/1 during the opening Powerplay. However, Adeeb Usmani settled the innings and played an important anchoring role.
Usmani reached his half-century from 52 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six. He continued to build the innings through the middle overs and eventually scored 92 runs, narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century.
Usmani also shared a useful 50-run partnership with Akshdeep Nath, which helped UAE recover and build a stronger platform for the final stages of the innings.
The biggest acceleration came towards the end. Aayan Afzal Khan and Sohaib Khan produced an attacking partnership of 50 runs from just 37 balls. Sohaib contributed 41 runs, while Aayan also scored 41.
UAE added 101 runs in the final 10 overs, turning a competitive total into a strong score of 263/9. Qatar’s Mirza Baig was their leading bowler, taking three wickets for 62 runs, while Owais Ahmed claimed two wickets.
Qatar Make a Positive Start
Chasing 264, Qatar initially looked capable of putting pressure on the UAE bowling attack. They reached 57/1 after 10 overs and moved to 79/1 after 16 overs.
Imal Liyanage became the main player responsible for keeping Qatar’s chase alive. He combined with Zubair Ali for a 50-run partnership from 67 balls and later took responsibility for controlling the innings.
Liyanage reached his half-century from 68 balls, including seven fours. His innings gave Qatar hope as they passed 150 in the 33rd over.
Dramatic Qatar Collapse
After reaching 150, Qatar’s batting order collapsed under sustained UAE bowling pressure. From a relatively competitive position, Qatar quickly slipped to 171/9 by the end of the 37th over.
Liyanage was still at the crease on 70, but he became the final wicket. Qatar were bowled out for 171 in 37.3 overs, handing UAE a comfortable 92-run victory.
The collapse was the biggest difference between the two teams. Qatar had managed to stay in the game for much of the chase, but losing wickets in quick succession ended their hopes of challenging UAE’s total.
Key Takeaways from the Match
The victory highlighted UAE’s strength in both batting and bowling. Adeeb Usmani’s 92 provided the foundation, while the late contributions from Aayan Afzal Khan and Sohaib Khan helped UAE finish strongly.
For Qatar, Imal Liyanage’s 70 runs was the standout performance, but he received little support once the middle order began to fall apart.
UAE’s ability to score 101 runs during the final 10 overs was particularly important. It gave them a total that allowed their bowlers to attack with confidence during Qatar’s chase.