Dubai: UAE skipper Arshad Ali smashed an unbeaten 213 to smother lowly Brunei by 367 runs in the opening match of the ACC Trophy 2006, being held in Kuala Lumpur.
The captain's knock helped the UAE to a record-breaking total of 459 for 3 in their allotted 50 overs, after electing to bat first.
"Everyone is looking at the UAE following our solid performance in the opening match here," UAE team manager Inam-ul Haq told Gulf News from Kuala Lumpur.
"As the defending champions the pressure is now on us. But I think we have an all-round team to successfully bring back this trophy," Haq said.
The UAE innings was built around Ali's 213 runs, but it was opening partner Mohammad Iqbal who got his team off to a flier with an entertaining 114 off just 59 deliveries.
The opening partnership between Ali and Iqbal yielded 166 runs, while the second wicket realised 152 runs.
Arshad Ali put down the win to a fine team performance. "Iqbal played well and then Saqib came and did his bit," Ali told Gulf News.
The UAE skipper felt that this was one of the most testing innings for him personally due to the harsh weather conditions.
"I think I must have lost at least a kilo. But what is more important is that we've got the right start and I hope we can keep going," he added.
In other matches yesterday, Oman beat Maldives by seven wickets, Nepal got past Kuwait by seven wickets and Afghanistan defeated Qatar by 66 runs.
Scores:
UAE bt Brunei by 367 runs. UAE 459 for 3 in 50 overs (Arshad Ali 213 not out , Mohammad Iqbal 114, Saqib Ali 66) Brunei 92 in 40.1 overs (Stephen Whitley 24, Bilal Javed 14, Sujay Kamat 19; Khuram Khan 3 for 12, Mohammad Tauqir 3 for 21, Ali Asad 1 for 18, Shoaib Sarwar 1 for 18).
Man of the match: Arshad Ali.
