Namibia post exciting victory

Sharjah: Namibia scored an exciting 40-run victory over the UAE in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Cup match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

A fighting 97 by UAE's Khurram Khan and a stubborn 52 from Amjad Ali went in vain.

It was a brilliant finish to four days of keen contest between bat and ball.

Namibia who trailed by 60 runs in the first innings fought back through a disciplined batting performance in their second innings.

With a lead of 337 runs, Namibia bowled out the UAE for 296 through J.B. Burger's fine 5-wicket spell.

Shaky start

UAE began their second innings on a shaky note losing both the openers for 16 runs. Night-watchman Owais Hameed and Gayan Silva took score till 52 before Hameed fell for 6.

Gayan Silva who played some lovely shots got clean bowled by J.B.Burger for 31.

Skipper Saqib Ali and Khurram Khan took the score past the 100-run mark but J.B. Burger struck again to dismiss Ali for 30.

Next man Amjad Javed fell for a duck. Despite struggling at 103 for 6, Ali and Khan put on a fighting 127-run partnership for the 7th wicket.

Burger provided the breakthrough dismissing Ali for 52. Ahmad Raza too provided support to Khan. At 258, Khan was trapped leg-before by Burger. Raza too fell for 38.

Namibia will take on Kenya in Sharjah from January 29-February 1. UAE will also meet Kenya from February 4-7 in Sharjah.

Brief scores

Namibia first innings: 164 in 44.3 overs. UAE first innings: 224 in 72.3 overs. Namibia second innings: 396 in 143.4 overs. UAE second innings: 296 in 87.4 overs (Gayan Silva 31, Saqib Ali 30, Khurram Khan 97, Amjad Ali 52, Ahmad Raza 38, L. Klazinka 3 for 56, K. Burger 2 for 50, J.B. Burger 5 for 81).

Man of the Match: J.B. Burger.