The Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash between United Arab Emirates and Oman at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi witnessed history as Muhammad Waseem became the fastest batter to reach 3000 runs in T20Is. The UAE skipper reached the landmark in just 1947 balls, rewriting record books and surpassing some of the game’s biggest names.
Muhammad Waseem creates history in T20 internationals
Waseem’s achievement sees him leapfrog England’s Jos Buttler (2068 balls), Australia’s Aaron Finch (2077), David Warner (2113), and India’s Rohit Sharma (2149). This milestone underlines not just his power-hitting abilities but also his remarkable consistency at the international level.
After Oman captain Jatinder Singh opted to bowl first, UAE came out with intent to set a challenging total. Waseem, opening with Alishan Sharafu, laid a strong platform by mixing controlled stroke play with aggressive shots.
The pair frustrated the Oman bowlers with a calculated approach, ensuring wickets were kept intact while runs flowed steadily. Waseem’s fluent 69 off 54 balls included six fours and three sixes, while Sharafu contributed a well-compiled 51 off 38 deliveries, laced with seven fours and a six.
Their 100-run stand not only anchored UAE’s innings but also gave Waseem the stage to notch his record. Fans inside the stadium erupted as he crossed the 3000-run mark, with his teammates applauding from the dugout.
Following the departure of the openers, UAE sought acceleration in the final overs. Muhammad Zohaib Khan (21 off 13) and Harshit Kaushik (19 off 8) provided quick cameos, ensuring UAE closed the innings at a competitive 172/5 in 20 overs.
Muhammad Waseem guided UAE to a competitive total: https://t.co/hYxO99uauV#cricket #UAEvOMAN #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/ymvib7s0MZ
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 15, 2025
For Oman, the bowlers had to endure a tough day. Jiten Ramanandi (2/24) was the standout performer, claiming the key wickets of Sharafu and Zohaib. Hassnain Shah (1/34) and Samay Shrivastava (1/38) chipped in, while Shakeel Ahmed and Faisal Shah went wicketless despite bowling with effort. Captain Aamir Kaleem also tried his arm for a solitary over, conceding 14 runs.
The lack of breakthroughs during the powerplay allowed UAE to build momentum, and the middle overs went in favour of the batters. Oman’s spinners found little assistance, and their pacers struggled with variations against Waseem’s composure.
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Waseem’s knock dominates spotlight
While UAE’s total of 172/5 is competitive, the day belonged to Muhammad Waseem. His ability to handle pressure, rotate strike, and punish loose deliveries highlighted why he is considered one of the finest T20 openers in world cricket. Achieving the 3000-run landmark faster than legends like Buttler, Finch, and Rohit Sharma will further enhance his reputation globally.
For UAE cricket, Waseem’s feat is monumental. It symbolizes the growing stature of the team in world cricket and demonstrates how associate nations are producing players capable of challenging top-tier sides.
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