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🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates /Sports

UAE keep Women’s Asia Cup semifinal hopes alive with emphatic win

From Khaleej Times · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The UAE beat Indonesia by six wickets in Dubai after bowling the tournament debutants out for 71 and reaching the target in 13.1 overs.
  • Captain Esha Oza scored 30 runs and took two wickets, while Heena Hotchandani claimed two for six.
  • The UAE need to beat Bangladesh in their final group match, while a Sri Lankan win over Bangladesh would improve their qualification chances.

The UAE’s second victory in Women’s Asia Cup history has kept their semifinal hopes alive, but the hosts still face a demanding final group match against Bangladesh on Tuesday.

The UAE dismissed tournament debutants Indonesia for 71 on Friday before reaching the target in 13.1 overs, losing four wickets. Captain Esha Oza led the response with 30 runs as an opener and two wickets with her off-spin. Left-arm spinner Heena Hotchandani also played a central role, taking two wickets for six runs on a slow Dubai pitch.

The result followed a nine-wicket defeat by Sri Lanka in the UAE’s opening Group B match. With two points from two games, the UAE sit third, behind Bangladesh, who also have two points but a better net run rate after one match. Sri Lanka lead the group with four points from two games.

Getting that on home ground, in front of our families, I think that's big for us. So we're very happy with this win. Hopefully, we have one more good game and then we're through.

· Heena HotchandaniThe UAE spinner described the significance of winning at home and keeping the semifinal run alive.

The UAE now need to beat Bangladesh to have a chance of reaching the semifinals. They will also be supporting Sri Lanka when the defending champions meet Bangladesh on Sunday. “Obviously we're rooting for Sri Lanka. Hopefully, they get a win. That increases our chances of going through, and then it doesn't come down to net run rate,” Hotchandani said.

The win carried particular significance for a team that struggled to assemble 11 players about 15 years ago. It was only the UAE’s second Asia Cup victory, after their 2022 win over Malaysia. Hotchandani said the players were delighted to achieve it in front of their families at the Dubai International Stadium. “Getting that on home ground, in front of our families, I think that's big for us. So we're very happy with this win. Hopefully, we have one more good game and then we're through,” she said.

Obviously we're rooting for Sri Lanka. Hopefully, they get a win. That increases our chances of going through, and then it doesn't come down to net run rate.

· Heena HotchandaniShe explained why the UAE will support Sri Lanka against Bangladesh.
About this summary

Originally published by Khaleej Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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