UAE slump to defeat in World T20 opener

David Cooper - Writer 20:58 17/03/2014
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  • In fine nick: Stephan Myburgh top-scored for the Netherlands with a rapid 55.

    The UAE got their ICC World Twenty20 campaign off to a losing start when they fell to a six-wicket defeat to the Netherlands at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

    Led by captain Khurram Khan (31) and Shaiman Anwar (32), the UAE posted a competitive 151, but Netherlands opener Stephan Myburgh quickly put his side in the driving seat with an explosive half-century. The Netherlands chased down the total with seven deliveries remaining.

    The UAE got off to a terrible start when they were reduced to 12-2 inside the first two overs. The arrival of Khan and Swapnil Patil (23) steadied the ship somewhat, while Rohan Mustafa (20) provided much-needed support in the middle order. 

    However, from 127-5, the UAE lost their remaining five wickets for just 24 runs.

    Any hopes of defending the total took a damaging blow by Myburgh, who crunched seven fours and two sixes in his 36-ball 55.Michael Swart (26), Wesley Barresi (24) and Tom Cooper (34) provided the added runs to see the Netherlands safely over the line. 

    "I thought the way the wicket was playing and how well we were doing we should have got to 165-170," Khan said after the game. "They were superb though and I think that's where the match turned.

    "We need to improve on our fielding, I think the dropped catches played a big part in the end. That said, I am sure we can take the positives and come back strong."

    “We could have scored 25 runs more to be honest. It was a good batting performance early on especially after losing two early wickets.”

    UAE coach Aaqib Javed agreed with Khan, adding: “We could have scored between 170 and 175. We didn’t bowl to our plan. We bowled to Stephan Myburgh’s favourite areas and he basically took the game away from us. Overall our bowling came up short.

    “Our fielding wasn’t great. We dropped a few catches and we have to work hard to get this right.”

    Netherlands captain Peter Borren has urged his team to use the victory over the UAE to propel their bid to reach the Super 10 stage.

    "We were very glad to get over the line given that we have struggled recently," he said. "Myburgh set things up brilliantly and Tom Cooper was superb. I would have settled for chasing 165-170 and I think we dragged them back well. I think this was a comprehensive win as far as T20 goes and I hope we can carry on the momentum."

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