UAE beat Kuwait to reach Asia Cup semifinal

Dubai: Siddharth Sekhar and Waleed Ahmad bowled UAE into the semifinal of the Asia Cup Under-17 Elite Cup yesterday. The two men wrecked the Kuwait innings, taking three wickets each to give UAE an impressive 100-runs victory.

Left-arm spinner Sekhar, who had produced a fine spell against Malaysia on Saturday, produced another good spell to return with figures of 3 for 29.

Waleed Ahmad, the son of former Pakistan Test star Tauseef Ahmad, maintained a good line and length and took 3 for 18. Together they defended UAE's total of 205.

Sekhar, batting at No 7, also chipped in with 27 runs providing good support to Shaaz Ahmad, who top scored with 45 runs. Ahmad was adjudged the man of the match for helping the UAE record an impressive total.

The UAE will now meet defending champions Nepal in the first semifinal to be held tomorrow.

Winning the toss, UAE openers Reuben Abraham and skipper Mohammad Salaar Waqar provided a good start. They put on 31 runs before Abraham, who went for his shots, got clean bowled by A. Samad for 12 runs.

Two wickets fell at the score of 44 when one-drop batsman Venkatakrishna Bargav fell for five runs and Waqar got trapped leg before for 21. Ameya Dighe and Surabhkant Gir built up the innings and took UAE score to 91 runs. Dighe got clean bowled by A Jabar for 27. Gir joined Shaaz Ahmad and took the score to 133 before he got stumped for 28 runs. Siddharth Sekhar with Ahmad put on 57 runs for the sixth wicket. After Sekhar fell for 27 Ahmad kept the score board moving and finally got out for 45.

Kuwait opener A. Zahir withstood the tight bowling. He scored 50 runs when Waqar had him caught by Daniyal Sakheel. None of the other batsmen even reached double figures and Kuwait folded up for 105 runs.

Brief scores

UAE 205 (M.S. Waqar 21, A.J. Dighe 27, S.S. Gir 28, S. Ahmad 45. S. Sekhar 27) beat Kuwait 105 (A. Zahir 50, Waleed Ahmed 3 for 18, S. Sekhar 3 for 18, M.S. Waqar 2 for 9) Man of the Match: Shaaz Ahmad.