KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions China had to dig deep to avoid a surprise defeat to Indonesia, winning 3-2 yesterday in the quarterfinals of the Sudirman Cup.
Two days after whipping their archrivals 5-0 in a group match, China, who have not lost a tie since falling 2-3 to South Korea in the 2003 final, were stunned by a determined and gallant Indonesian outfit.
But Chinese supremo Li Yongbo was unperturbed. China are eyeing their fifth consecutive win in the biennial event.
“We have won it for so many times — eight times,” the coach said.
“I don’t mind if we lose it as long as my players show their determination and fighting spirit... Sometimes it’s good for other teams to win it.” Indonesia’s Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir gave the 1989 champions a dream start when they defeated the world number one mixed doubles pairing of Ma Jin and Xu Chen 21-18, 14-21, 21-16.
China’s Chen Long, as expected, levelled the scores when he beat Tommy Sugiarto 21-11, 21-15. But then Rian Agung Saputro and Angga Pratama edged Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng 19-21, 21-18, 21-15.
Coach Li blamed “a few bad line calls” for the men’s doubles loss, saying he was “very disappointed with the umpiring.”
Introducing technology to review disputed line-calls, as in tennis and football, is being tested at the cup, but it can’t be used to challenge decisions yet.
“But I’m not going to take anything away from Indonesia... They have performed above expectation,” Li said.
The Chinese women then turned on the power as Olympic champion Li Xuerui outclassed Lindaweni Fanetri 21-16, 21-13, and world champions Yu Yang and Wang Xiaoli beat Liliyana Natsir and Nitya Krishinda Maheswari 21-12, 21-19.
Indonesian manager Rexy Mainaky said the team made a “tactical gamble” by fielding Natsir, a strong player, in the mixed and women’s doubles.
“Nonetheless, I’m quite pleased with the way the team performed, and with a bit of luck, we could have won the tie,” the former Olympic champion said.
Meanwhile, South Korea kept up their performance of reaching every Sudirman Cup semi-final when they outclassed Germany 3-0.
The three-time champions were simply too strong for the European champion with their mixed doubles pairing of Ko Sung-Hyun and Kim Ha-Na charting the way, followed by a hard fought men’s singles match and then a men’s doubles victory.
“We expected to win and march on, and we all did exactly what we were expected to do,” said Lee Yong-Dae, who played in the men’s doubles.
South Korea will now face either Japan or Thailand. The two teams are playing later Thursday as are Taiwan and Denmark in another quarter-final.
Germany coach Holger Hasse said the team was “disappointed” with the all-out defeat.
“I thought we could steal a point or two,” he said.
China survives Indonesia scare in Sudirman Cup
China survives Indonesia scare in Sudirman Cup
DP World ILT20 stars power UAE’s spirited campaign at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
- Sharafu’s 145-run haul, Waseem’s captain’s knock and Siddique’s 5/35 underline the DP World ILT20’s growing impact on UAE cricket
- Aryansh Sharma emerges as UAE’s breakout star, showcasing the strength of the DP World ILT20 pathway
DUBAI: The UAE’s participation at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 may have ended at the group stage on Feb. 18, but their competitive performances have underlined the steady rise of the national side on the global stage in recent years.
Across four high-intensity group matches, the UAE demonstrated composure against some of the most established teams in world cricket. Central to that progress was the influence of the DP World ILT20, whose environment has prepared UAE players to compete fearlessly against the sport’s biggest names.
Leading from the front was captain Muhammad Waseem. The MI Emirates player’s 66 off 45 balls against New Zealand — his highest score of the tournament — was a statement knock against elite opposition. The innings echoed the form that saw him secure the coveted Blue Belt as Best UAE Player for a fourth consecutive season in the DP World ILT20, where he amassed 370 runs in 13 innings as MI Emirates reached the Season 4 final.
Alishan Sharafu, who represents Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, emerged as the UAE’s leading run-scorer in the tournament. He compiled 145 runs in four matches, including a composed 55 off 47 against the New Zealand — his highest score. Sharafu was one of four UAE players to register a half-century in the tournament.
The bowling unit, too, carried a strong DP World ILT20 imprint. Junaid Siddique, who secured a high-value contract with Sharjah Warriorz at the historic Season 4 Player Auction, produced the tournament’s standout performance for the UAE. His sensational 5 for 35 against Canada at the Arun Jaitley Stadium dismantled the opposition and earned him player of the match honors.
Siddique finished as the UAE’s highest wicket-taker with seven scalps, capping a campaign that validated his status as one of the league’s premium signings.
Meanwhile, Haider Ali and left-arm pacer Muhammad Jawadullah — both regular features for Dubai Capitals — brought discipline and control to the attack, reinforcing the depth fostered within the league ecosystem. Also featuring in the UAE squad were Mayank Kumar of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Muhammad Farooq of Dubai Capitals, and Rohid Khan of MI Emirates.
Beyond the established names, the tournament also unveiled exciting prospects. Twenty-one-year-old Aryansh Sharma produced a defining moment with an unbeaten 74 in the five-wicket win over Canada, guiding the chase with poise and composure. Sohaib Khan emerged as the team’s third-highest run-getter with 132 runs, including a fluent 68 off 48 deliveries against Afghanistan national cricket team. These are players who will undoubtedly attract attention ahead of the DP World ILT20 Season 5 Player Auction.
The broader takeaway from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is the steady evolution of UAE cricket, with the Emirates side underlining how the DP World ILT20 is increasingly shaping players for the global stage rather than remaining just a domestic showcase.
