Ajay Kumar's six-wicket haul ends UAE's six-month League 2 drought in Kirtipur

Key facts

• UAE defeated Oman by 25 runs in the 99th match of ICC CWC League 2 at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur.
• Aryansh Sharma scored a century for UAE, setting up the victory.
• Ajay Kumar took six wickets for UAE, including three in the 47th over, and was named Player of the Match.
• This was UAE's first League 2 win since November, breaking a six-month drought.
• UAE posted 268/7 batting first; Oman were bowled out for 243.
• Vinayak Shukla top-scored for Oman with 58 off 58 balls.
• UAE captain Muhammad Waseem scored an unbeaten 66 off 45 balls in the match.
• The win keeps UAE in contention for an automatic qualification berth for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

Lede: UAE snap six-month winless streak in League 2

The United Arab Emirates ended a six-month drought in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 on Monday, defeating Oman by 25 runs at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. The victory, their first in the competition since November, was powered by a century from young opener Aryansh Sharma and a devastating six-wicket haul from debutant left-arm seamer Ajay Kumar.

How the match unfolded: Sharma's century and Kumar's late burst

Batting first, UAE posted 268 for 7 in their 50 overs, with Sharma anchoring the innings with a superb century. Captain Muhammad Waseem chipped in with an unbeaten 66 off 45 balls, while Harpreet Singh provided a late flourish. In reply, Oman were bowled out for 243, with Vinayak Shukla top-scoring with 58 off 58 balls. The match turned decisively in the 47th over when Kumar struck three times, dismissing Shah Faisal, Siddharth Bukkapatnam, and Hassnain Shah in quick succession to end Oman's resistance.

Captain Waseem hails team performance after drought-breaking win

UAE captain Muhammad Waseem expressed his delight after the match, saying, “Finally, we have two points, and I am very happy with the performance of my team.” He praised the contributions from opener Adeeb Usmani, Sharma, and Harpreet Singh, adding, “We said simple things in the team meeting. We have very good players right now. I told them we have to bat to our abilities, and we saw today the way we can bat.” Waseem also downplayed the team's opening loss to Nepal, stating, “I don’t believe in changes after the first game. Anyone can have a bad game.”

Ajay Kumar: From remote beginnings to match-winning hero

Ajay Kumar, the 29-year-old left-arm seamer, was named Player of the Match for his six-wicket haul, his best in international cricket. It was his first win in a UAE shirt after two previous losses to Nepal. Kumar dedicated the performance to his family, saying, “I come from a remote area where cricket is not played that much, and it was thanks to their support that I have been able to play.” He had taken three wickets against Nepal in his League 2 debut and bettered that against Oman.

Stakes in League 2: UAE keep qualification hopes alive

The win keeps UAE in contention for an automatic qualification berth for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier event, which will be held ahead of next year's tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The tri-series in Kirtipur also features hosts Nepal, whom UAE lost to by 37 runs in the opener. The next match for UAE is against Nepal at the same venue on Friday.

Outlook: Momentum building for UAE ahead of Nepal clash

With the drought broken, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem believes momentum is building for his side. The team will face Nepal again on Friday, a crucial fixture that could determine their path to the Qualifier. The performance of Ajay Kumar and the return to form of the batting lineup provide reasons for optimism, but consistency remains the challenge.

The bottom line

• UAE ended a six-month winless streak in ICC CWC League 2 with a 25-run victory over Oman.
• Aryansh Sharma's century and Ajay Kumar's six-wicket haul were the standout performances.
• Captain Muhammad Waseem praised the team's batting depth and collective effort.
• Ajay Kumar, from a remote area, dedicated his maiden international haul to his family.
• The win keeps UAE in contention for a spot in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier.
• UAE's next match is against Nepal on Friday at the same venue in Kirtipur.