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The UAE and Bangladesh clash in the deciding third T20I at Sharjah Cricket Stadium , with everything on the line. UAE pulled off a stunning win in the second match, chasing down 205 with just one ball to spare, led by captain Muhammad Waseem’s fiery 82 . That result has set up a thrilling finale, giving the hosts confidence ahead of the series decider. Meanwhile, Bangladesh will be eager to bounce back after squandering a golden opportunity to seal the series. With both teams eyeing a morale-boosting victory, this high-stakes encounter promises fireworks, especially under lights at Sharjah.
Match Details
| Event | UAE vs Bangladesh – 3rd T20I |
|---|---|
| Venue | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| Date & Time | April 24, 2025 |
| Series | 3-match T20I Series (Tied 1-1) |
| Live Streaming | Sony Sports / Disney+ Hotstar |
Team Previews
United Arab Emirates Preview
UAE delivered a historic performance in the second T20I, securing their first-ever win over Bangladesh with a nail-biting chase. Captain Muhammad Waseem was the star, scoring an unbeaten 82 off just 42 balls, laced with nine fours and five sixes. It marked his second consecutive half-century, reinforcing his importance as UAE’s batting mainstay. Alongside him, Muhammad Zohaib (38 off 34) and others like Asif Khan and Haider Ali contributed valuable cameos, but the team needs more consistent support from the middle order.
With the ball, Muhammad Jawadullah stood out again, picking up seven wickets across two matches. He has been the go-to bowler for UAE, while players like Dhruv Parashar, Saghir Khan, and Haider Ali have offered decent support. However, UAE’s bowling unit remains fragile against top-tier batting sides. The return of Simranjeet Singh , an experienced campaigner, could add depth and composure to the lineup.
Despite being underdogs, UAE have shown they can compete when the stars align. Their belief is sky-high, and with home advantage and sharp performances from Waseem and Jawadullah, they’re not just participants—they are genuine contenders in the final.
Bangladesh Preview
Bangladesh looked strong after posting a massive 205-5 in the second T20I, thanks to knocks from Tanzid Hasan (59 off 33) , Litton Das (40 off 32) , and a late flourish from Jaker Ali (18 off 6) . However, their bowling unit faltered under pressure, allowing UAE to chase it down comfortably. The absence of Parvez Hossain Emon , who scored a century in the opener, hurt them, and his fitness status for the decider remains uncertain.
The bowlers struggled, particularly Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Nahid Rana , who were expensive on the night. In contrast, Shoriful Islam and Rishad Hossain stepped up with two wickets each, offering some balance to the attack.
Bangladesh will likely make adjustments for the final, possibly recalling Hasan Mahmud or rotating spinners like Mahedi Hasan . Litton Das will need to lead with both bat and mind, ensuring better control in crunch moments.
While Bangladesh remain favorites on paper due to superior depth and experience, UAE have exposed cracks in their bowling department. If Bangladesh fail to adapt, UAE could pull off another shock.
Favorite Team to Win Today’s Match
| Favourite Team | Why? |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | Despite UAE’s breakthrough win, Bangladesh still hold the edge. They have more firepower in batting, deeper bowling options, and greater experience in tight finishes. Although UAE showed heart in the last game, they rely heavily on Waseem and Jawadullah. A single failure from them could collapse the side. Bangladesh will also be motivated to avoid embarrassment. While UAE are dangerous at home, Bangladesh should come out stronger and take the series with a composed performance in the decider. |
Fantasy Team XI
| Player Name | Role | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Muhammad Waseem (C) | Batsman | In-form captain; scored 82* and 51* in last two games. |
| Tanzid Hasan | Opener | Solid start-maker; scored 59 in last match. |
| Shoriful Islam | Bowler/AR | Can contribute with both bat and ball; impactful death bowler. |
| Muhammad Jawadullah | Bowler | Leading wicket-taker; picked up 7 wickets in the series so far. |
| Litton Das | Opener | Experienced batter; anchors the innings and scores crucial runs. |
| Asif Khan | Batsman | Aggressive player; capable of quick starts in powerplay. |
| Rishad Hossain | All-Rounder | Valuable for economy and strike rate; useful lower-order hitter. |
| Haider Ali | All-Rounder | Provides flexibility with bat and ball; handy death overs option. |
| Shamim Hossain | All-Rounder | Hard-hitter; can change momentum with explosive strokeplay. |
| Jaker Ali | Finisher | Big-hitter in the end; played a crucial cameo in last game. |
| Dhruv Parashar | Bowler | Useful left-arm spinner; offers variation and containment. |
Captain & Vice-Captain Suggestions
- Captain : Muhammad Waseem – On fire with the bat and leads UAE’s charge.
- Vice-Captain : Tanzid Hasan – Form batsman who can anchor the innings.
Players to Avoid in Fantasy
- Nahid Rana – Struggled in last game, went for over 50 runs.
- Alishan Sharafu – Inconsistent form and lacks impact recently.
Squads & Probable Playing XI
UAE Squad
Muhammad Waseem (c), Muhammad Zohaib, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra (wk), Asif Khan, Dhruv Parashar, Saghir Khan, Aryansh Sharma (wk), Matiullah Khan, Simranjeet Singh, Haider Ali, Muhammad Jawadullah.
| Probable XI |
|---|
| Muhammad Waseem (c) |
| Muhammad Zohaib |
| Asif Khan |
| Alishan Sharafu |
| Rahul Chopra (wk) |
| Dhruv Parashar |
| Saghir Khan |
| Haider Ali |
| Muhammad Jawadullah |
| Aryansh Sharma |
| Matiullah Khan/Simranjeet Singh |
Bangladesh Squad
Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali (wk), Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Tanvir Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Nahid Rana.
| Probable XI |
|---|
| Litton Das (c) |
| Tanzid Hasan Tamim |
| Towhid Hridoy |
| Jaker Ali (wk) |
| Parvez Hossain Emon/Najmul |
| Shamim Hossain |
| Rishad Hossain |
| Shoriful Islam |
| Tanzim Hasan Sakib |
| Mahedi Hasan/Tanvir Islam |
| Nahid Rana |
Pitch Report
Sharjah has provided excellent batting conditions throughout the series. Both teams have crossed 190 in the first innings, indicating a flat pitch that rewards clean hitting. Spinners get some purchase during the middle overs, but pace bowlers with variations can trouble batters.
- Average First-Innings Score: ~195
- Best Strategy: Batting first gives a slight edge due to dew factor later in the game affecting fielding and catching.
Toss Prediction
- Expected Winner of Toss: Bangladesh (Possibly)
- Preferred Decision: Bat First – Teams batting first have dominated so far, and with dew expected, it becomes even more crucial to post a big score early.
Winner Prediction
UAE have proven they can beat Bangladesh, but repeating that feat in a high-pressure decider might be too tall an ask. Bangladesh, despite their recent blip, remain the stronger side on paper. Expect Bangladesh to bounce back and clinch the series 2-1 with a more disciplined performance.
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