Match 9 of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup saw the division of forces at the luxuriously appointed Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Kuala Lumpur, with a classic regional face-off. Those who had been following every minute of the UAE vs Kuwait cricket action on the television screen saw nothing but a masterclass in Associate cricket. Whether you were unable to enjoy the game or you want to know more, this is the complete analysis of the game from the brilliant batting showcases to the jaw-dropping spell cast by the bowlers who sealed the result.
The Stage is Set: ACC Men’s Premier Cup Rivalry
The UAE and Kuwait are always on fire on the pitch. Both teams have great talent who can turn a game upside down in a matter of few overs. The UAE cricket team fans who had been following the match knew that winning the important group-stage points were crucial. Kuala Lumpur’s pitch provided support to the seers at the start and then levelled off, providing a perfect playing surface for a high-scoring thrill when the batters got into a rhythm.
The UAE captain was right with the toss and chose to bat first, making it a pivotal moment. It is often preferred to set a target on the board in high pressure tournament games and UAE top order was keen to take advantage of the morning batting conditions.
UAE Innings: Building a Formidable Total
The opening partnership for the UAE laid a strong foundation. Tanish Suri and Adeeb Usmani were aggressive and made effective use of the crease, taking the loose deliveries with ease. Suri struck five boundaries from 40 balls and 28 from 23 balls respectively while Usmani added a brisk 27 from 40 balls with four fours and a brilliant maximum effort off 23 balls. The aggressive approach helped the team to clear the 50-run mark in the first eight overs.
Kuwait’s Muhammad Aqif Farooq had made early breakthroughs in the innings with impressive 3/38, which needed to be slowed down. Step in Muhammad Shahdad and Harpreet Singh Bhatia.Step in Muhammad Shahdad and Harpreet Singh Bhatia. The duo formed one of the finest batting duos in the world and turned the tide drastically in favour of the batters.
- Muhammad Shahdad’s Anchor Role: Shahdad’s knockout knock in the innings was superb as he scored a glass-slip 94 runs from 110 deliveries. His knocks featured six hits and four high sixes, in which he was able to rotate strike and use his quickness when necessary.
- Harpreet Singh Bhatia’s Aggression: Bhatia supported Shahdad brilliantly, cracking 59 runs from just 64 balls with five fours and a six.
Late contributions from Rahul Chopra (13) and Aayan Afzal Khan (17) had helped the total go up. The UAE finished off their 50 overs at an impressive 286/8, despite having two impressive spellings from Yasin Patel (2/46) and Mohamed Shafeeq (2/19).
Kuwait Chase and Weather Interruption
Kuwait’s plans were against a massive challenge of 287, so their first two bats required a good start. During the first Power play both the duo responded to the call and didn’t lose any wickets in the difficult early going from the UAE pace attack. Idrees scored 25 runs on 35 balls, and Sandaruwan was solid with his 26 runs on 42 deliveries.
Weather, however, caused a revise of the target using the DLS method which reduced the length of the match and changed the run rate requirement. With a few runs scored, the Kuwait team lost their rhythm as they got under pressure.
Akshdeep Nath’s Spellbinding Bowling Performance
Shahdad was the first one to get away with a hundred and Akshdeep Nath was the man who had a field day in the second innings. Nath came up with one of the best spells in the tournament’s recent history, picking up the middle and lower order of the Kuwaitans.
In what was a monumental bowling performance, Nat took 6 wickets in 5 overs, bowled with rampant variation and great control. With economical figures from Haider Ali (2/18 in 5 overs), the bowlers of Kuwait left in awe. Kuwait were eventually bowled out for 110/9 in their 25 overs to give the UAE a comprehensive 66-run win using the DLS method.
Full Match Summary & Key Statistics
- Match Number: Match 9, ACC Men’s Premier Cup
- Date: September 3, 2026
- Venue: Bayuemas Cricket Oval, Klang, Malaysia
- Toss: UAE won the toss and elected to bat
- UAE Score: 286/8 in 50 overs
- Kuwait Score: 110/9 in 25 overs (DLS target adjusted)
- Result: UAE won by 66 runs (DLS method)
- Player of the Match: Muhammad Shahdad (UAE)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who won the match between the UAE and Kuwait?
A1. The United Arab Emirates scored 66 runs to win the game with the DLS method.
Q2. Who was awarded Player of the Match?
A2. Muhammad Shahdad got the accolade for his outstanding 94-run knock.
Q3. What was the turning point of the game?
A3. In the first innings, a 46-run stand between Muhammad Shahdad and Harpreet Singh Bhatia along with Akshdeep Nath’s six wickets sealed the victory.
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