Dubai, Sep 10 (NationPress) Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube shone with the ball as India dismissed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a mere 57 runs during their initial encounter of the 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

UAE started positively, reaching 47/2 in just eight overs, with opener Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu scoring vital boundaries. However, upon Kuldeep's introduction, UAE suffered a catastrophic collapse, losing their next eight wickets for a mere 10 runs. Their total of 57 in 13.1 overs marks the lowest ever men’s T20I score against India.

Upon his return to the T20I squad, Kuldeep delivered a stellar performance, claiming four wickets and exhibiting his exceptional skill. Dube, serving as India’s third seam option, contributed significantly by taking three wickets, effectively derailing UAE's batting lineup. India aimed to chase down the modest target of 58 swiftly to enhance their net run rate.

After opting to field first, UAE’s Alishan Sharafu struck two thick-edged boundaries off Hardik Pandya in the first over, followed by a four from Jasprit Bumrah and a beautifully timed six against Axar Patel. His innings concluded at 22 when Bumrah bowled him with a perfectly executed yorker.

Varun Chakaravarthy made his mark when Muhammad Zohaib was dismissed off his googly, caught at backward point. Muhammad Waseem capitalized on Bumrah’s errors, scoring three boundaries in the final over of the power-play, as UAE finished the power-play at 41/2.

However, after two boundary-less overs, UAE crumbled under pressure. Kuldeep’s flighted delivery led to Rahul Chopra mis-timing his shot and being caught at long-on. Kuldeep then trapped Waseem lbw with a delivery that straightened after pitching. His most impressive wicket came when his googly bowled Harshit Kaushik clean.

With the pressure mounting, Asif Khan and Dhruv Parashar survived significant lbw appeals against Chakaravarthy, but Dube eventually claimed Asif, who edged to Sanju Samson behind the stumps. Axar joined the wicket-takers by trapping Simranjeet Singh lbw, while Dube struck again to dismiss Parashar in similar fashion. After Junaid Siddique skied one to mid-wicket off Dube, Kuldeep wrapped up UAE's innings by having Haider Ali caught behind, finishing with impressive figures of 4-7.

Brief Scores: UAE 57 in 13.1 overs (Alishan Sharafu 22, Muhammad Waseem 19; Kuldeep Yadav 4-7, Shivam Dube 3-4) against India