In a really unprecedented transfer that’s now being described as a ‘tactical revolution,’ in white-ball cricket, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) girls’s cricket workforce pulled off one of many strangest but smartest acts in T20 historical past. Competing within the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Asia Qualifier towards Qatar, the UAE girls made international headlines by retiring out all ten of their batters, a call made not out of damage or necessity, however as a part of a deliberate and calculated technique to make sure a win amid an approaching storm.
Esha Oza and Theertha Satish domination halted by a sudden cease
The match started like some other, however quickly was an exhibition of batting supremacy. UAE’s openers, Esha Oza and Theertha Satish, took management from the very first supply. Combining aggression with finesse, the pair added 192 runs in simply 16 overs, taking full benefit of the Qatar bowling assault and the quick outfield at Terdthai Cricket Floor.
Esha, the workforce’s captain and standout performer, scored a wide ranging 113 runs off simply 55 deliveries, a knock laced with boundaries, clever placement, and clear hitting. Her associate, wicketkeeper-batter Theertha Satish, was equally impactful with a fluent 74 from 42 balls, complementing Oza stroke-for-stroke. Because the scoreboard soared previous 190 and the run fee climbed above 12 an over, everybody anticipated a closing assault within the loss of life overs. However what adopted left the cricketing world shocked.
Additionally READ: Cricket Ireland part ways with Ed Joyce; appoints new head coach for Women’s team
UAE head coach Ahmed Raza explains 10 batters retired in a single match
Within the post-match briefing, UAE head coach Ahmed Raza make clear what transpired behind the scenes. As thunder rumbled and drizzle started to fall throughout their innings, Raza feared a weather-forced abandonment. A washout may have robbed UAE of a full match, doubtlessly leaving factors shared or the outcome determined by way of DLS.
“While the innings was happening, we began listening to thunder and a slight drizzle had began. I went to the umpires and checked whether or not we may declare, however in white-ball cricket, you can not declare. So I requested the match referee if I may retire my entire workforce out,” Raza was quoted as saying by the Sports activities Tak.
The permission was granted, and the UAE teaching employees acted swiftly. Their purpose: to make sure an entire bowling innings may very well be performed earlier than rain arrived, thereby locking in a outcome. Given the weird nature of the tactic, some observers questioned whether or not the transfer was disrespectful to the Qatari aspect. Raza was fast to dismiss these issues. He additionally confused that all the pieces was performed inside the legal guidelines of cricket, and with full communication to match officers.
“Firstly of our bowling innings it was already drizzling, and we have been afraid of the thunderstorm. There was not sufficient time, and it was all performed purely to get a outcome. By doing this, I meant no disrespect to anybody concerned, our opposition, the officers, or the sport,” Raza concluded.
Additionally READ: England pacer Freya Davies marries her longtime partner Andy Blood; pics go viral
This text was first printed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times firm.