Some of the UAE cricketers plied their trade in the Global T20 in Canada and Rohan Mustafa had told the Khaleej Times about the influence of former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi during his time with table toppers Brampton Wolves.

Sharing a dressing room and spending time with top international cricketers has clearly worked wonders for UAE cricketers.

And evidence of it is how they have fared in their ongoing tour of the Netherlands. Two matches into the four-match T20 International series, the UAE have won both their games, the latest being a dramatic five-wicket win on Monday.

Some of the UAE cricketers plied their trade in the Global T20 in Canada and Rohan Mustafa had told the Khaleej Times about the influence of former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi during his time with table toppers Brampton Wolves.

The all-rounder has been in the midst of a purple patch in terms of his bowling, with the 30-year-old snapping up three wickets to restrict the Netherlands to 136 for nine. In fact, Zahoor Khan, the 30-year-old pacer, who was also part of the Wolves, returned with two wickets.

UAE's middle-order batsmen Rameez Shahzad, part of the Winnipeg Hawks, and Muhammad Usman steadied things after the visitors found themselves on 58 for three.

The pair put on 59 runs for the fourth wicket with Shahzad falling one short of a maiden half-century. Usman made 34.

With both getting out, the match went down to the last over with the UAE crossing the line with three balls to spare.

The UAE will be aiming for a series win when the third match is played out at The Hague Cricket Ground in Voorburg on Tuesday.

james@khaleejtimes.com