The List Of Shame For UAE: Five Lowest T20I Totals For Asia Cup 2025 Hosts

Soumyajit Dutta

UAE team's lowest totals [Source: @cricketemirate/X.com]UAE team's lowest totals [Source: @cricketemirate/X.com]

The UAE have gradually risen as one of the emerging teams on the international stage. However, they are still in a developing phase, and their batting lineup often shows moments of vulnerability.

In their Asia Cup T20 opener against India, the UAE endured another batting collapse, posting a modest total against the mighty Men in Blue. This was not the first instance of such struggles. Here’s a look at some of their lowest scores in T20I history.

5) 80/9 vs Netherlands

In the 2019 T20 World Cup Qualifier play-off against the Netherlands at Dubai, UAE, they endured a dramatic batting collapse, folding for just 80/9 in their 20 overs. Their top order crumbled early, losing four wickets inside the first three overs. Brandon Glover spearheaded the Dutch attack with sensational figures of 4/12, while Paul van Meekeren and Timm van der Gugten picked up two wickets each.

Despite a brief resistance from skipper Ahmed Raza (22 off 24), UAE never recovered and posted a below-par total. The Netherlands chased the target with ease, reaching 81/2 in 15.1 overs to seal an eight-wicket win.

4) 73 runs vs Netherlands

Before 2019, UAE’s batting lineup endured one of its most forgettable outings in T20Is during the 2016 clash against the Netherlands in Dubai. Chasing 158, they collapsed to just 73 in 16.4 overs, suffering a crushing 84-run defeat. The innings never got going, with four of the top five dismissed for single digits. Only Muhammad Usman showed fight, scoring an unbeaten 49 off 44 balls, while the rest of the batting lineup folded cheaply.

The damage was inflicted by Mudassar Bukhari, who produced a sensational spell of 4/7 in four overs, supported by Michael Rippon’s 3/8. The Netherlands’ bowlers ran through UAE’s order, leaving them with one of their lowest-ever T20I totals.

3) 73 runs vs Sri Lanka

Just 3 years back, UAE etched his name in another collapse. In the 2022 T20 World Cup clash against Sri Lanka at Geelong, UAE folded for just 73 in 17.1 overs while chasing 153. Their innings never settled as early wickets tumbled, with the top four dismissed inside five overs. 

Aayan Afzal Khan (19 off 21) and Junaid Siddique (18 off 16) offered brief resistance, but no batter could convert it into a meaningful score. Sri Lanka’s bowlers ripped through the UAE lineup, led by Wanindu Hasaranga’s brilliant 3/8 in four overs and Dushmantha Chameera’s fiery 3/15. The collapse left UAE reeling, suffering a heavy 79-run defeat.

2) 62 runs vs Scotland

The United Arab Emirates suffered a humiliating batting collapse against Scotland in the 3rd T20I at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 14, 2024, registering their second-lowest total in T20I history. Chasing a modest 95, UAE crumbled to just 62 all out in 15.2 overs, falling short by 32 runs. The top order was blown away inside the powerplay, slumping to 15/5, with captain Muhammad Waseem, Tanish Suri, and Aryan Lakra all dismissed for ducks. 

Only Akif Raja offered resistance with a fighting 28 off 25 balls, but wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Scotland’s Brad Currie (3/7) and Jack Jarvis (3/14) ripped through the batting lineup, leaving UAE with another painful reminder of their fragile top order.

1) 57 runs vs India

The top of the painful list for the UAE stands, however, against India in the Asia Cup 2025 clash on September 10. UAE came in to bat first after India chose to bowl first. However, after a seemingly flying start, the UAE collapsed in front of a formidable Indian bowling attack.

India produced a ruthless bowling display to dismantle the United Arab Emirates for just 57 in 13.1 overs. After Jasprit Bumrah removed Alishan Sharafu early, spinners took full control. Kuldeep Yadav starred with 4/7, while Shivam Dube (3/4) and Varun Chakaravarthy (1/4) tightened the noose. UAE lost wickets at regular intervals, collapsing from 47/2 to 57 all out. Muhammad Waseem’s 19 and Sharafu’s 22 were the only notable contributions as India completely outclassed the hosts with pace and spin.