Ali and Anwar’s half centuries in vain

Dubai: Saqib Ali and Shaimon Anwar’s fighting half centuries went in vain as UAE went down fighting to Sri Lanka’s Under-23 team in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Emerging Cup by 30 runs at the Kallang Ground in Singapore.

Speaking to Gulf News from Singapore, UAE skipper Ahmad Raza said: “We played good cricket and kept the Sri Lankan players on their toes till the last ten overs of the chase. Credit goes to Sri Lankans who fielded and bowled very well in the death overs.”

Raza went on to praise Ali’s 71 runs, which came off 109 balls with three boundaries and six, and Anwar’s 53 was scored off 85 boundaries with three boundaries. “It was two mature knocks from Ali and Anwar,” added Raza, who bowled a tight spell of eight overs for just 21 runs with two maidens to take one wicket.

So dominating was left-handed Jayasuriya’s knock that he held the innings together despite wickets falling regularly at the other end. The second best scorer was his opening partner Udara Jayasundera with 38 runs. Together they put on 57 runs before Rohan Mustafa had Jayasundera caught and bowled.

Jayasuriya fell only in the 44th over when Aziz clean bowled him. Aziz who is in top form bowled an immaculate line and length. He clean bowled all the three batsmen with his off spin. Among his victims were Sri Lanka skipper Kithuruwan Vithange, whom he clean bowled for 11 runs.

UAE began their chase losing opener Abdul Shakoor to the third ball from opening bowler Lahiru Jayaratne for a duck. Next batsman Swapnil Patil fell for 10 after adding 24 runs for the second wicket. Ali who joined Anwar put on 83 runs for the third wicket before Udara Jayasundera trapped Anwar leg before.

In the 40th over, UAE were in a commanding position at 162 for four. After Ali fell in the 41st over, Jayaratne bowled brilliantly to pick the wickets of Vikrant Shetty (13) and Amjad Khan (20) to return with figures of three for 36 and bag the man of the match award for his fine spell in the death overs.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka under-23 bt UAE by 30 runs. Sri Lanka U-23: 235 for eight in 50 overs (Udara Jayasundera 38, Shehan Jayasuriya 101, Danushka Gunathilaka 23; Nasir Aziz three for 39). UAE: 205 for nine in 50 overs (Shaimon Anwar 53, Saqib Ali 71, Amjad Khan 20, Lahiru Jayaratne three for 36, Charith Jayampathi two for 41, Chathuranga Kumara two for 30) Man of the match Lahiru Jayaratne.