Dubai: Opener Arshad Ali cracked a century to put UAE in a commanding position in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Shield match at the National Stadium in Bermuda Wednesday.
Ali hit 126 runs off 278 balls studded with six fours and one six to help UAE post 356 for 6 declared. Bermuda, facing the huge lead, lost the wicket of opener Fiqre Crockwell in the second innings when Qasim Zubair had him caught by Saqib Ali for 12.
Bermuda now trail by 193 runs with nine wickets in hand after being bowled out 56 runs in the first innings.
Speaking to Gulf News from Bermuda, Mohammad Lokhandwala, the manager of the UAE team, said: "It was a good toss to lose as we had planned to bat on winning the toss.
"Our medium pacers Amjad Javed, Saqib Shah and Qasim Zubair provided the early break through with Zubair taking the prized wicket of the skipper David Hemp. Rest of their batting crumbled against the spin of Shadeep Silva, Ahmad Raza and Khurram Khan."
Consolidate position
UAE is now hoping to consolidate their position and pick the 14 points that will earn them a place in the tournament's final.
"We declared our innings after taking a lead of 300 runs. Though they have lost one wicket early to Zubair their opener Chris Foggo and Steven Outerbridge has put on an unbeaten 87 runs partnership. Tomorrow morning our bowlers will be fresh and hopefully pick some early wickets," Lokhandwala added.
UAE, who were 192 for 2 overnight lost the wicket of Saqib Ali for 34 at the score on 220.
Swapnil Patil, making his debut for UAE in international cricket, hit a quick 37 off 68 balls with four boundaries to put on 67 runs for the fourth wicket with Arshad Ali.
At the score on 287, Ali's innings ended when he was caught by Hemp off right arm off spinner Joshua Gilbert.
Amjad Ali further swelled the UAE lead through an unbeaten 32 runs. Sixteen-year-old Gilbert produced a fine bowling spell of 3 for 85.
Scores
Bermuda (first innings) 56 in 31.3 overs
UAE (first innings) 356 for 6 decl in 108 overs (Arshad Ali 126, Abdul Rehman 65, Khurram Khan 28. Saqib Ali 34, Swapnil Patil 37, Amjad Ali 36 n.o, Joshua Gilbert 3 for 85)
Bermuda (second innings) 107 for 1 in 47 overs (Chris Foggo 45 not out, Steven Outerbridge 42n.o).
