Fri May 23 17:20:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**UAE Secures Historic T20I Series Win Against Bangladesh, Thanks to Haider Ali’s Dew-Defying Genius**

**Sharjah, UAE** – In a stunning upset, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) clinched a 2-1 T20I series victory against Bangladesh on Wednesday night, fueled by a masterful performance from left-arm spinner Haider Ali. Facing the notorious dew conditions of Sharjah, Ali employed an unconventional, old-school tactic: immersing the cricket ball in a bucket of water and practicing with it. This preparation proved pivotal, as Ali delivered exceptional figures of 3 for 7, significantly hampering Bangladesh’s batting lineup.

Dew, a common challenge in UAE night games, unexpectedly appeared early in the decisive match. While many bowlers struggled with grip, Haider Ali was ready. “There was dew from the first over,” he noted, adding that his experience playing in Sharjah under lights and practicing with a wet ball gave him an edge.

Making his T20I debut in this series, Ali had been wicketless in the first two matches. However, in the crucial decider, he struck early and often, dismissing key batsmen Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy within his first three balls, followed by Mahedi Hasan in his next over. His tight, aggressive spell reduced Bangladesh to 49 for 4, setting the stage for UAE’s dominance.

Ali attributed his turnaround to a strategic shift in mindset, deciding to bowl more aggressively after discussions with the coaching staff. “I saw in the previous games that if I was being a little defensive with the ball, runs were leaking,” he explained.

Despite a recovery from Bangladesh to post a competitive 162 for 9, UAE successfully chased down the target, led by Alishan Sharafu’s unbeaten 68.

This series win is a significant boost for the UAE as they look ahead to a crucial year, including participation in the Asia Cup. Haider Ali expressed his gratitude to the UAE cricket board and management for their support and emphasized the importance of the victory in boosting the team’s confidence for upcoming tournaments.

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