Zadran, Janat spark Afghanistan victory ahead of waiting game

Ibrahim Zadran and Karim Janat hit half-centuries as Afghanistan defeated UAE by six wickets to clinch a Twenty20 series Sunday, and now face a waiting game over their future in the sport.

Zadran made an undefeated 60 off 51 balls with five fours and a six while man-of-the-match Janat was 56 not out off only 22 balls.

The 24-year-old hit four fours and five towering sixes.

Zadran and Janat shared an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership of 80 as Afghanistan finished on 166-4 in reply to the UAE's 163-6 and claimed the three-game series 2-1.

However, Afghanistan now face an uncertain future.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) meets in March under pressure to suspend Afghanistan due to the ruling Taliban's crackdown on women's rights and its ban on females from playing sports.

Afghanistan are the only top cricket nation without a women's team.

Earlier Sunday, UAE opener Muhammad Waseem, who hit 91 in the second match, top-scored again with 75 off 50 balls with eight fours and three sixes.

He shared an opening stand of 129 with Vriitya Aravind whose 59 runs came off 53 deliveries and featured seven fours and a six.

But the innings then fizzled out with just 34 runs coming from the final 26 balls.