KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE women’s cricket team saw their T20 Asia Cup campaign come to a heartbreaking conclusion at the group stage, but skipper Esha Oza believes the valuable lessons learned against Asia's elite will ultimately pave the way for future success.
Despite falling short in a high-stakes encounter against Bangladesh on Tuesday night, the national side can take some positives from the tournament that was played on their own turf at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Oza conceded after the match: “Just to be able to play in front of friends and family; I think having that 'UAE, UAE' chant when we were on the field, something we have not had before. Would have been even happier if we would have finished on the winning side today… a long way to go for the team."
A win against Bangladesh would have earned them a berth against world champions India in the semi-finals. The UAE bowlers got the start the team needed, reducing Bangladesh to 55-6 before Sharmin Akhter and Nahida Akter rescued the innings with a crucial 42-run partnership.
That stand proved to be the difference, as the UAE, which is reliant on its top order batters, set out to chase a 104-run target. Three early wickets did the damage, with only Heena Hotchandani showing grit at the crease as the home side managed a total of 69.
"I think T20s are won and lost in the Power Play,” Oza said. “And yeah, I think we could have done a bit better in the first six overs that we batted in. I played a bad shot and got out early in the first over.”
While acknowledging the role of the bowling unit, Oza reflected on a disappointing batting performance. "It was all about just applying ourselves a bit better with better shot selection. I think the way we bowled, especially in the first few overs to get those wickets; the way the spinners bowled. I think they were amazing throughout the [three group] games,” she noted.
While the result failed to seal a historic knockout berth, Oza tried to find a silver lining. “We keep on giving teams a tough fight. But it's disappointing that we can't get over the line. I think when you give it your all in the first innings, expectations were high. We wanted to get there.
"I think more matches and experience would definitely help," Oza added. "What can bridge the gap between us and full members, I would think, is our batting. And the more we play against these types of bowlers, I think we would get better as batters as well. And also that would help us improve our decision-making.”