The UAE cricket team beat Singapore by seven wickets in the Fast Track Countries Cricket Tournament in Singapore.
A file picture of Mohammed Tauqir in action at the ICC Six Nations meet, earlier this year. |
UAE reached the target losing just three wickets with Asghar Ali hitting an unbeaten 52 following his unbeaten 100 in the first innings.
Mazhar Khan, the administrator of the Emirates Cricket Board, announcing the team's victory told the Gulf News: "It has been a good start. We have picked up 27 points from this win as against Singapore who have only 8.75 points."
Elaborating on the points system which could decide the winner of the event, Khan said: "UAE picked five points twice when it bagged all ten Singapore wickets. By scoring over 250 they picked another three points and with 14 points for an outright win, we managed 27 points."
UAE will now take on Malaysia in the next match of this tournament, to be held in UAE. Hong Kong and Nepal are the other two teams.
Singapore began the third day at 69 for 2. Much was expected off the Christopher Janik-Zeng Renchun partnership, which had lifted their team from 15 for 2.
Janik was the first to go, bowled by Zahid Shah for 48, adding just three runs to his overnight score. UAE introduced vice-captain Tauqir and he struck with his right arm off-spin. He dismissed Buddhika Mendis, caught by Shah for 19 and had next man Shoib Razak caught by Naeemuddin for a duck.
Rizwan Latif tightened the grip by trapping Pramodh Raja leg before and also by dismissing Singapore skipper Renchun for 30. Six down for 102, UAE bowlers went for the kill and bowled out Singapore for 150.
Needing 86 for a win, UAE opener Asim Saeed went for his shots. He hit three boundaries during his 19-ball stay for 13 before he was caught behind off Shoib Razak.
Balaji clean bowled Ramveer Rai for 7 while Mohammed Rizwan trapped Naeemuddin leg before for 5. Asghar Ali once again rose to the occasion and hit an unbeaten 52 (57b, 8x4) to usher in the victory.
Summarised scores:
Singapore first innings: 228.
UAE first innings 293 for 7 declared.
Singapore second innings 150 (Christopher Janik 48, Zeng Renchun 30, M. Tauqir 4 for 24, R. Latif 3 for 20) UAE second innings 86 for 3 (Asghar Ali 52n.o).
