{
  "id": 6389269,
  "title": "Esha Oza: UAE need more matches against Test-playing nations if they are to progress",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/esha-oza-uae-need-more-matches-against-test-playing-nations-if-they",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T06:06:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/2026/09/09/esha-oza-uae-need-more-matches-against-test-playing-nations-if-they-are-to-progress/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "UAE cricket captain Esha Oza believes her nation needs more matches against Test-playing nations if they are to overcome narrow defeats against top sides. In their recent Women's Asia Cup group match against Bangladesh, the UAE nearly pulled off an upset. Suraksha Kotte's impressive bowling in the powerplay restricted Bangladesh to 103-7, as the young all-rounder Janani Thirukkumaran took a crucial wicket with just five runs conceded in the penultimate over. Despite showing promise, the UAE were dismissed for just 69-9, denying them a semi-final berth against India. Oza acknowledged the need to address the team's batting shortcomings and emphasized that more frequent fixtures against Test-playing nations would provide valuable experience and improve decision-making.",
  "summary": "Esha Oza says the UAE need more matches against cricket’s elite if they are to turn narrow losses into wins over top sides. For half of the match in their final Women’s Asia Cup group match against Bangladesh on Tuesday night, they seemed bound for an upset. Suraksha Kotte bowled brilliantly in the powerplay as Bangladesh, who are former winners of this competition, struggled to bring the…",
  "key_points": [
    "UAE needs more matches vs Test nations for progress",
    "Suraksha Kotte's bowling restricted Bangladesh to 103-7",
    "UAE dismissed for 69-9, missing semi-final berth"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The UAE's narrow defeats against top sides highlight the need for more matches against Test-playing nations to gain experience and improve batting and decision-making, according to captain Esha Oza.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Esha Oza: UAE need more matches against Test-playing nations if they are to progress",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/esha-oza-uae-need-more-matches-against-test-playing-nations-if-they-6389954",
        "published": "2026-09-09T06:06:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}