Abu Dhabi: An inspired UAE secured their second victory in the World Cricket League Championship at the Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday with an 82-run triumph over high-flying Papua New Guinea (PNG).
The visitors could have gone joint top of the eight-nation league with the Netherlands with victory over the hosts in the One Day International, but remain second while the UAE moved off the bottom of the table.
The two countries will lock horns again in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning.
Coming into this game with six successive wins, Assad Vala’s PNG side would have banked on reputation to put away the UAE after winning the toss and electing to field.
But the ploy backfired as the UAE — who had previously won only one of their eight matches — put on a daunting 292 for five from 50 overs on the back of three half-centuries, with Rameez Shahzad’s blistering 87 the top score.
In response, PNG’s top order looked in good stead at the start of the run chase, but a wobble in the middle was followed by a late collapse, and they were bowled out for 210 in 47.3 overs.
The UAE’s bowling display was led by Imran Haider (4 for 49), and the leg-spinner was complemented by Ahmad Raza (3 for 30).
This was the UAE’s second win in nine games, nudging them ahead of Namibia, who have played a game less.
While the loss didn’t affect PNG’s position in the table, it could certainly prompt the team to reconsider plans going forward.
PNG’s bowling, which has been clinical if not game-changing throughout the tournament, was below par and the UAE duly capitalised.
The run glut was led at the top by Rohan Mustafa, the skipper. His quick-fire 39 was followed by Ghulam Shabber’s 96-ball 50 and Shahzad’s 82-ball 87, but the most vital contribution in the innings came from No. 6 Mohammad Usman.
He smashed 58 off just 38, first sharing in a brilliant 91-run stand with Shahzad for the fifth wicket, and then combining with Mohammad Naveed (34 off 15) to put on an unbroken 52 runs in the last four overs.
For PNG, Chad Soper and Alei Nao picked up two wickets apiece.
In the chase, PNG’s opening pair of Tony Ura (61) and Vani Morea (32) added a healthy 82 runs at the top. But the first blip came when the team went from 82 without loss in 21 overs to 111 for 4 in 27.2 overs. With the asking rate mounting, the UAE’s bowlers kept the pressure on and though PNG went from 204 for 5 to 210 all out in just 16 balls, the target had already become too steep by then.
