T20 World Cup 2026: Aryansh, Sohaib step up for UAE after Junaid’s five-for

Performances under high pressure tend to be the domain of strong characters. Aryansh Sharma (74 n.o., 53b, 6×4, 3×6) and Sohaib Khan (51, 29b, 4×4, 4×6) were certainly under the pump when they came together for the United Arab Emirates in a chase of 151 against Canada at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in the T20 World Cup on Thursday, but they emerged with their reputations enhanced.

The duo — both were born in India —starred with an 84-run stand in 42 balls to take UAE over the line with five wickets in hand in 19.4 overs. 

Junaid Siddique, who hails from Multan in Pakistan’s Punjab province and moved to the Gulf in search of a job in 2014, came to the fore with the ball earlier. He picked up five for 35 to restrict Canada to 150 for seven.

In pursuit of 151, UAE seemed down for the count when it was reduced to 66 for four in the 13th over. Left-arm spinner Saad Bin Zafar struck thrice.

But just when the game appeared to be slipping away from the Middle-East outfit — it needed 85 from 45 deliveries with six wickets remaining — Aryansh and Sohaib stepped up. Sohaib, who studied at the Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi before relocating to the Emirates in 2021, used the long handle to devastating effect.

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Earlier, Canada, which opted to bat after winning the toss on the same pitch that was used for India’s win over Namibia on Thursday, recovered from 38 for three through a 58-run association between Harsh Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal. Thaker reached his half-century off 40 balls in the 18th over before miscuing Junaid to Mayank Kumar at extra cover.

For UAE, Junaid was equally effective with new and old ball, supplementing his twin strikes at the start with three more at the back end.

Published on Feb 13, 2026