The UAE’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup ended in defeat on Thursday when the tournament hosts lost by 84 runs to Zimbabwe in the 11th place play-off.
Zimbabwe posted a chase-able 205 from their 50 overs but the UAE failed to match their opponents run-rate and finished well-short of the target with one wicket remaining.
The African side won the toss at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi and elected to bat – a decision that initially appeared to backfire when they were reduced to 57-4.
However, an inspired 80 by Luke Jongwe in the middle order – alongside a well-supported 38 from Shoun Handirisi – put Zimbabwe on track for a respectable tally.
They received little help from the lower order, but Jongwe’s knock proved the difference between the two sides.
Moaaz Qazi – who will now join the UAE senior squad for the World T20 in Bangladesh – was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets for the loss of 35 runs in his 10 overs. Justin James was the UAE's most economical, surrendering just 21 runs in 10 overs, while claiming one wicket.
In reply, the UAE were immediately in deep trouble, losing their first four wickets for just 14 runs.
Following the early-innings wobble, the hosts batted too cautiously to acquire the run-rate needed to close down the Zimbabwe total.
Captain Rohit Singh (30) and Shivank Vijayakumar (24) steadied the UAE ship somewhat but the team simply failed to bat quickly enough and ended their innings well short of the total needed.
