Kuwait pulled off a dramatic cricket upset over the United Arab Emirates in Asia Cup qualifying, and the emotional rollercoaster on the sidelines matched the chaos on the field. Kuwait needed 17 runs off 16 balls with three wickets remaining. A few quick singles, a boundary, and a costly error from the UAE keeper brought the target within reach. The game flipped again when the infield came up tight and a runout made it 9 outs with just 2 balls left. What looked like a sure win turned tense. But Kuwait’s final batsman kept his composure, knocked the winning runs, and clinched the game.
The post-match celebration was just as wild. Players sprinted out to the pitch, throwing awkward high-fives, helmet taps, and exaggerated fist pumps. The sideline went from bowing in prayer to total jubilation. For UAE, the loss stung. Their coach watched quietly as the team folded under pressure. This was a huge moment for Kuwait, both in terms of the upset and how they navigated the late-game drama. The low-key underdogs from the bottom of the batting order came through when it mattered.