Abu Dhabi: UAE skipper Rohan Mustafa and his young opening partner Chirag Suri battled valiantly in the second innings against Afghanistan on the third day of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Cup at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Mustafa hit 68 runs off 152 balls with eight boundaries while Suri went on to crack 81 runs off 149 runs with 10 boundaries.
Twenty-two-year-old Suri, who is a member of the Gujarat Lions team in the Indian Premier League, displayed his huge potential withstanding the formidable Afghanistan team attack. Mustafa and Suri together put on 146 runs in 47.1 overs before Mohammad Nabi ended the partnership by taking Musfata’s wicket. Suri looked set for a century when left-arm spinner Zakir Khan trapped him leg before.
Shaiman Anwar and Rameez Shahzad put on 30 runs for the third wicket before Shaiman Anwar the star of the UAE first innings fell for 21 to Dawlat Zadran. Shahzad unbeaten on 18 and Saqlain Haider, yet to open his account, are at the crease.
The UAE are 201 for three in their second innings needing another 112 runs to prevent an innings defeat.
Earlier, chasing Afghanistan’s first innings total of 510 for nine, the UAE were bowled out for 197 runs in the first innings. Overnight batsman Shaiman Anwar who was batting on 29, continued to resist the tight Afghanistan bowling attack and scored an unbeaten 85 off 158 balls with 12 boundaries and a six.
Though the UAE lost an early wicket that of Haider for three, Ahmad Raza provided good support to Anwar and together they put on 46 runs for the seventh wicket.
Zakir Khan picked three wickets for 30 runs well backed by leg spinner Rashid Khan with three wickets for 69 runs. UAE innings lasted only 64.5 overs.
Afghanistan imposed follow on and the UAE openers led by skipper Rohan Mustafa and Chirag provided a good start.
