The UAE Women’s Under-19 team booked their return to the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup after holding off Malaysia by one run in Kuala Lumpur.
The final remained in the balance until the last ball at Bayuemas Oval on Wednesday. UAE defended a total of 95 as Malaysia closed on 94 for six from their 20 overs.
Malaysia entered the final over on 90 for five, needing six runs to win.
Sai Thite struck with the first delivery, having Suabika Manivannan stumped by wicketkeeper Uttara Iyer. Malaysia managed four runs from the remaining five balls, leaving the UAE one run ahead.
The ICC final scorecard confirmed a player-of-the-match performance from Al Maseera Jahangir.
Jahangir top-scored with 31 from 34 balls after the UAE won the toss and chose to bat. Mehul Kulkarni made 22 from 24 deliveries, while Iyer added 19 from 18.
The UAE lost their final seven wickets for 27 runs and were dismissed for 95 in 19.3 overs.
Jahangir then took two wickets for 12 runs from her four overs. Afsha Khan returned figures of one for 14, while Thite finished with one for 25.
Nurin Imanina led Malaysia’s reply with 36 from 40 balls. Her run-out in the penultimate over left the hosts needing six from the last six deliveries.
The victory completed an unbeaten campaign for the UAE. They beat Hong Kong China by 37 runs under the DLS method before recording victories over Malaysia and Qatar during the group stage.
A 73-run semi-final win over Bhutan took them through to the decider. They then claimed the only World Cup place available at the eight-team Asia qualifier.
The 2027 tournament will be co-hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal and feature 16 teams.
The UAE also played at the inaugural Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2023, where they reached the Super Six stage.
Their latest qualification completed a successful month in Malaysia.
Earlier in July, the UAE secured a place at the DP World Women’s U19 Asia Cup by reaching the final of the ACC Women’s U19 Premier Cup.
Rain stopped the final against Thailand after the UAE had reached 54 for six from 12.4 overs. The match ended without a result and the two teams shared the trophy.
“This victory means a lot to us,” captain Mehak Thakur said. “Now we are looking forward to playing against bigger and better teams and playing good competitive cricket.”
Senior UAE captain Esha Oza said the team had benefited from contributions across the squad.
“It was great to see that we had different match winners in all the games, and I am really proud of the team,” Oza said.
“We have had a few heartbreaks in World Cup qualifiers in the past, but this one heals everything.”
Emirates Cricket Board chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad congratulated the players, coaches and support staff. He said preparations would now begin for the World Cup and the U19 Asia Cup.
