UAE Set to Play First T20I Against Australia

United Arab Emirates (UAE) is all set to play their first ever Twenty 20 International (T20I) match against Australia. The one-off T20I will be played at the Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium on Monday (October 22). This match will act as a warm-up game for the mighty Australians ahead of the three match T20I series against Pakistan.

On the other hand, UAE will use this rare chance to perform better against a top nation such as Australia and catch every one’s eyes. The game is scheduled to start at 2 pm local time (3:30 pm IST) on Monday at the Abu Dhabi Oval. The entry to the ground to watch this one-off T20I game is free for all as confirmed by the authorities!

“We are delighted to be in a position to announce this fixture and we are extremely grateful to the ICC for their support in accrediting the Abu Dhabi Oval for T20 international cricket at such short notice,” said Zayed Abbas, ECB (Emirates Cricket Board) spokesperson, to ESPN Cricinfo.

“Our thanks also goes out to to Cricket Australia for approaching this opportunity so positively, and especially to the Pakistan Cricket Board for permitting this match during their home tour in the UAE with Australia. It has been an incredible effort from all parties to bring this match to fruition,” Abbas added.

“This match will provide an exceptionally good test for our players. We need them to be put under pressure and for them to focus more intently by being challenged by higher ranked, leading teams within our game. To do so it is vitally important for the Full member countries, and the ICC to support and provide the Associates with such opportunities,” Waleed Bukhatir, UAE chief selector, said

UAE till date have played 26 T20Is in which they won nine games and lost 17. Their last T20I assignment was against Papua New Guinea (PNG) in April last year which they clean swept by a margin of 3-0. After this one-off T20I against UAE, Australia will meet Pakistan in the three match T20I series starting from October 24. Keep watching this space for more updates on the same!

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