At the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Asia Region Qualifier on Saturday, May 10, the UAE Women’s team defeated Qatar by an incredible 163 runs thanks to an incredible strategy that saw all ten of their batters retire out in a rain-soaked match in Bangkok.
The UAE, who had already defeated Malaysia and were in Group B of the Asia Region Qualifier, needed to defeat Qatar in order to advance to the Super 3 stage. But with rain predicted to ruin their chances of qualifying and no prospect of an innings declaration in T20 Internationals, UAE skipper Esha Oza and her side employed a strategy never seen before to outplay the competition and the weather.
UAE got off to a strong start after winning the toss and choosing to bat. Oza had an incredible innings, hitting 113 off just 55 balls and adding five sixes and 14 fours. Theertha Satish, her opening partner, added 74 off 42 deliveries. In just 16 overs, the pair put on an undefeated 192-run partnership, with UAE scoring 12 runs per over.
In order to forcefully finish the innings and give their bowlers time to bowl 10 overs and have a chance for a result in the event that rain stopped play, the UAE’s hitters started retiring out at that point rather than continue the batting innings. This was their only practical choice because T20I regulations do not permit a declaration like they do in Test cricket.
Eight diamond ducks and a final team score of 192/10 in 16 overs were achieved without a single genuine dismissal as the other eight batters each walked in and retired out without ever seeing a ball. An entire squad was retired out for the first time in T20I history.
With great vigour, the UAE bowlers responded by dismissing Qatar for a just 29 runs in 11.1 overs. With her three-wicket haul, Michelle Botha was the best bowler. Katie Thompson, Heena Hotchandani, Oza, and others contributed. There were seven ducks in Qatar’s innings, while Rizpha Emmanuel (20) was the only batter to reach double figures.
A women’s T20I record of 15 ducks was set during the match. UAE moved to the Super 3 stage after winning and taking the lead in Group B with four points. The UAE will remain in the running for a spot in the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England if the top two teams advance to the Global Qualifier.
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