Abu Dhabi: UAE captain Rohan Mustafa is unfazed by the fact that his side will be heavy underdogs when they take on Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
The hosts entertain the south-western Pacific outfit at Abu Dhabi’s Shaikh Zayed Stadium in the first of two 50-over matches from 9am, with the second taking place on Sunday morning.
The visitors lie second in the eight-team table and know victory in both games will see them go joint top with Netherlands on 10 points, while the UAE remain rooted to the bottom after one win in eight matches.
“If you look at the standings, they are second and we are bottom,” said the 28-year-old batsman Mustafa, who replaced Amjad Javed as skipper at the end of the Desert T20 in February.
“They will definitely be looking for the two wins to top the group and for sure they will try their best and make things difficult for us.
“We know the challenge that we’re facing and we are ready for them. Although we are playing at home, there will be a lot of pressure on them to win because they are second in the standings.”
Despite their dismal record in the event to date, the UAE go into the encounter having tested themselves against English county sides after suffering a One-Day International series ldefeat to Ireland earlier this month.
During a practice match against England South team, veteran batsman Shaiman Anwar and Mustafa notched centuries, which the captain said had greatly boosted team morale.
