The UAE face Sri Lanka in the semifinals of the Global qualifiers today. The winner of this match will qualify for this year’s Women’s T20 World Cup<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having done their job by beating Vanuatu in the must-win game at the Global T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Abu Dhabi on Friday, the UAE women\u2019s team were anxiously following every ball in the next game between Ireland and the Netherlands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A place in the semifinals was up for grabs as the home team\u2019s fortunes were hanging by a thread \u2014 a Dutch win over Ireland would have knocked them out of the semifinal race in a tournament from which only the two finalists would qualify for this year\u2019s Women\u2019s T20 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So barely a few minutes after their loud post-match celebrations, the UAE players had gone quiet, sitting in one room, silently saying their prayers and hoping that the Irish, who had already qualified for the semis, would quell the Dutch threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, around 10:30 last night, the UAE players were roaring and jumping for joy as Ireland had just thrashed the Netherlands by 54 runs in the final Group B game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the barest of margins, the UAE reached the semifinals to keep the T20 World Cup dream alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe were all sitting in one room, praying and celebrating every Dutch wicket together. So when Ireland finally won, our celebrations were pretty much the same when we win a game of cricket because it was such a big moment for us to reach the semifinals,\u201d skipper Esha Oza told the Khaleej Times<\/em> on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, Esha\u2019s team haven\u2019t made it to the semifinals just with a slice of luck. They have also shown remarkable skills and a never-say-die spirit to come this far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From battling unstable weather conditions which led to the cancellation of an important warm-up event to bouncing back from two defeats (against Ireland and Zimbabwe) with back-to-back wins (against Netherlands and Vanuatu) in group stages, the UAE team have overcome all obstacles to earn a shot at qualifying for the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This team is now just one step away from making history when they take on Sri Lanka in the semifinals in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (7:30 pm UAE Time). In Sunday\u2019s first semifinal, Ireland will take on Scotland (3 pm UAE Time).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With only the two finalists of this tournament guaranteed World Cup berths, expect gripping battles in the two semifinal encounters in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The home team, though, is now brimming with confidence. \u201cIt feels amazing. We have worked really hard for this. It feels like all the hard work from the players, and the coaching staff have paid off. We are now just one win away from the World Cup. It\u2019s going to be an amazing day tomorrow (Sunday),\u201d Esha said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Esha\u2019s team is also unperturbed by the challenge of facing a big team like Sri Lanka which features, apart from several experienced players, Chamari Athapaththu, the world\u2019s top-ranked ODI batter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are very confident for the match. We have played Sri Lanka before in the Asia Cup, and we gave them a tough fight, it was a last-ball finish,\u201d Esha said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is nothing to lose, we are just going to go out there and give our best. I think there is a lot at stake for Sri Lanka (being a big cricket country). But our team is confident and the girls are raring to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLook, we have proved in the last two games (against the Netherlands and Vanuatu) that we are here not just to participate. We are here to compete and win matches and qualify for the World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samaira Dharnidharka, the 17-year-old pace bowler who produced a stunning four-wicket spell (4-0-12-4) in the 70-run win over Vanuatu on Friday, now can\u2019t wait to test her skills against Athapaththu, one of the world\u2019s best batters, on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was a different feeling yesterday (Friday) getting those four wickets.. So bowling to Athapaththu is going to be incredible. We have played them (Sri Lanka) twice in the past, we came close to beating them. So hopefully, the third time (on Sunday) will be a lucky charm for us,\u201d Samaira, who made her international debut at 11, told the Khaleej Times <\/em>on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe want to win this because qualifying for the T20 World Cup would be a dream come true. The under-19 team have already done it once. So for the senior team to do it, it\u2019s going to be even more amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of the result on Sunday, the UAE\u2019s rise in women\u2019s cricket is quite amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a country which lacked a proper system for women\u2019s cricket until about 15 years ago, it\u2019s indeed amazing to see the national team now competing for a place in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese girls, what they have done is amazing, losing the first two matches (to Ireland and Zimbabwe) then to win the next matches, they have shown what they are made of,\u201d Ahmed Raza, the team\u2019s head coach, told the Khaleej Times <\/em>on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great boost to women\u2019s cricket in the UAE to have a performance like this in a global qualifying event. The UAE is an associate member of the ICC, hopefully, we will soon earn the ODI status because the improvements from this team have been incredible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow if we win this match (against Sri Lanka) and qualify for the World Cup, it\u2019s going to be a huge moment for women\u2019s cricket in this country.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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