Asia Cup T20 2016: India vs UAE - 5 Talking Points

India secured their biggest win in T20 internationals in a game whose outcome was largely inconsequential for both teams. While the game will be remembered for UAE’s inept batting and the sparkling cameo by Yuvraj Singh, we take a look at five major talking points that emerged out of it.

#1 A poignant start

The players and match officials wore black armbands

The cricketing world lost one of its favorite sons with the passing away of Martin Crowe.

The match started on a rather poignant note - the players and match officials wearing black armbands and observing silence for the departed soul.

Among the match officials was Crowe's brother, Jeff, who decided to keep his personal loss aside and carry on with the tournament in the capacity of an ICC Match Referee. Martin Crowe enjoyed a 13-year international career from 1982-95, including four years as captain.

He had a Test average of 45.36 in 77 matches and held a slew of New Zealand batting records when he retired, including most Test runs (5,444), highest Test score (299), most 50s (35) and most hundreds (17) -- the last of which still stands.

#2 Pawan Negi gets an India cap

Negi was handed his India cap by Team Director, Ravi Shastri.

Pawan Negi made his T20 international debut in a contest that didn't have much significance for India.

The left-arm all-rounder who was picked up by the Delhi Daredevils in this year's IPL auction used to play under captain MS Dhoni in the Chennai Superkings setup.

The youngster couldn't ask for a better start as he picked up his first international wicket in no time. Off the penultimate ball of his first over in international cricket Negi got Muhammad Usman caught in the deep for just 9 runs. The ball that got Usman was fullish and flighted, tempting the batsman to go for a lofted shot – but to no avail.

Although Negi didn't create further damage for the opposition, he kept a control on the flow of runs, giving away just 16 runs in 3 overs. He also remained a livewire on the field while saving runs and taking catches.

#3 Shaiman Anwar hits form

Anwar top-scored for UAE with 43 off 48 balls

Shaiman Anwar who made the headlines for his exploits during the 2015 Cricket World Cup showed why he is amongst the best in the business in Afghanistan cricket currently, by top scoring for his side with 43 off 48 balls.

Anwar, who hasn't been in good form lately, was the only batsman who looked like scoring against the strong Indian attack. He was largely responsible for whatever little his team could score eventually.

With three boundaries and a maximum, Anwar seemed all set for a longer haul in the middle but got run out by MS Dhoni just when it looked like he could get Afghanistan to a respectable score.

#4 India\'s streak continues

India have won all but one of their T20 encounters this year

India's triumphant run in T20s this year continued with this thumping win over UAE. The nine-wicket win was India’s biggest win in T20 internationals in terms of the number of balls remaining.

The Men in Blue have won all but one of their T20 encounters this year. Barring the loss against Sri Lanka at Pune, India have won against Australia (3-0), Sri Lanka (2-1) and have won all four games at the ongoing Asia Cup.

MS Dhoni's boys enter the finals with the high of having won 9 out of their last 10 games, a winning percentage that no team has been able to match this year. India have now won their seventh consecutive T20 match outside home conditions and are one short of equalling the world record held by Sri Lanka currently.

#5 Yuvraj Singh completes a half-century

Yuvraj Singh made his 50th T20 international appearance

Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh made his 50th T20 international appearance on Thursday. The left-hander who has 1082 T20I runs at an average of 30.91 has been one of India’s most prolific run-getters in the format and is best remembered for his exploits in the 2007 edition of the World T20.

Coming in to bat at No. 3 versus the UAE, Yuvraj played a handful cameo of 25 runs off 14 deliveries. The knock included some wristy flicks to the boundary and big six over long-on. The innings is extremely important for India’s context of having Yuvraj back in flow – something that the southpaw claimed he had achieved in the previous game against Sri Lanka.

With another game to go and the World T20 round the corner, Yuvraj will want to be at his best and make sure that he returns to being the match winner he once was.