The United States of America won a close match against the United Arab Emirates by 4 wickets in the 86th Match of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 28, 2025. USA successfully chased down UAE’s total of 211/9, reaching 213/6 in 49.1 overs with 5 balls remaining. Player of the Match honors went to Shubham Ranjane for his crucial 46 not out that guided USA home.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo (https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-cricket-world-cup-league-2-2023-24-2027-1420525/united-arab-emirates-vs-united-states-of-america-86th-match-1507885/full-scorecard), CricTracker
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | 211 | 50.0 | 9 | Lost by 4 wickets |
| United States of America | 213 | 49.1 | 6 | Won by 4 wickets |
Match Details: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | USA won the toss and chose to bowl first
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harshit Kaushik | UAE | Batsman | 53 runs (54 balls, 1 four, 4 sixes) |
| Milind Kumar | USA | Batsman | 71 runs (81 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) |
| Monank Patel (c) | USA | Batsman | 50 runs (67 balls, 5 fours) |
| Shubham Ranjane | USA | All-rounder | 46* runs (81 balls) + 2/44 bowling |
| Saurabh Netravalkar | USA | Bowler | 3/28 in 10 overs |
| Junaid Siddique | UAE | Bowler | 3/44 in 10 overs |
Source: ESPNcricinfo Full Scorecard
Key Moments
Early UAE Collapse: UAE lost both openers within 2 overs, sliding to 4/2 as Alishan Sharafu (1) and Aryansh Sharma (1) fell cheaply to Netravalkar and Ugarkar.
Chopra-Shahdad Partnership: Rahul Chopra (36) and Muhammad Shahdad (34) added 66 runs for the third wicket to stabilize the UAE innings after the poor start.
Kaushik’s Power Hitting: Harshit Kaushik smashed 53 off 54 balls with 4 sixes, taking UAE past 200 in the final overs.
USA’s Rocky Start: USA also stumbled early, losing Smit Patel (0) and Andries Gous (1) to fall to 11/2, then 22/3 when Mukkamalla departed.
Captain’s Knock: Monank Patel led from the front with a solid 50, putting on a crucial 52-run partnership with Milind Kumar for the fifth wicket.
Milind’s Match-Winning 71: Milind Kumar top-scored with 71 runs off 81 balls, sharing a vital 73-run stand with Shubham Ranjane for the sixth wicket.
Ranjane Seals Victory: After Milind’s dismissal at 183/6, Shubham Ranjane remained unbeaten on 46, partnering with Harmeet Singh (14*) to guide USA home with 5 balls to spare.
Match Analysis
USA came into this match sitting at the top of the World Cup League 2 table with 15 wins from 21 matches, while UAE languished at the bottom with just 3 wins from 16 games. The match lived up to its billing as a contest between two teams at opposite ends of the table.
UAE’s batting performance was a tale of two halves. After losing both openers inside two overs to excellent bowling from Saurabh Netravalkar, the middle order showed resilience. The lower-middle order, particularly Harshit Kaushik’s explosive hitting in the death overs, pushed UAE to a competitive total of 211.
USA’s chase was equally dramatic. Despite losing three early wickets, captain Monank Patel anchored the innings with a composed fifty. Milind Kumar’s aggressive 71 shifted momentum firmly in USA’s favor. When Milind fell with 30 runs still needed, Shubham Ranjane held his nerve in a pressure situation, guiding his team home in his first major series.
The bowling performances were evenly matched. Netravalkar’s 3/28 was economical and set the tone early, while Ranjane chipped in with two crucial wickets in the first innings. For UAE, Junaid Siddique’s three-wicket haul kept them in the hunt, but lack of support from other bowlers proved costly.
What’s Next
USA continues their World Cup League 2 campaign in Dubai with more matches scheduled in this crucial qualification series. This victory strengthens their position at the top of the table as they aim to secure ODI World Cup qualification.
For UAE, playing at home provides an opportunity to turn their season around. They need to address their top-order batting concerns and find more consistency with the ball to climb up the standings.
The World Cup League 2 serves as a pathway to the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, making every match crucial for both teams’ qualification hopes.