Shaiman Anwar starred with the bat as his 109 helped the United Arab Emirates claim an impressive 102-run win over Nepal in the opening round of the ICC Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament.
Having already defeated Uganda in a warm-up game in New Zealand, UAE would have been desperate to make a statement in their first qualifying game and after reaching 297 for 8 in their 50 overs, they were well set to claim an important opening win.
Anwar, who hit eight sixes and another eight fours, was the key man for the UAE with the bat but it was an equally impressive performance from the bowlers who restricted Nepal to 195 in 48.1 overs with Kamran Shazad taking 3 for 46.
Having lost the toss UAE were put in to bat by Nepal and almost immediately lost opener Amjad Ali when he was run out after facing just three deliveries.
Nepal then reduced the Emirates to 81-3 before a brilliant partnership between Anwar and Swapnil Patel (72) put Khurram Khan's side in control as they moved to 226-3.
Basant Regmi would eventually claim the wicket of Patil but a quick fire run-a-ball 16 from Amjad Naved would help the UAE set Nepal 298 to win.
Paras Khadka's side would find themselves 53-5 thanks to some superb bowling from Manjula Guruge (2-25) and Amjad Javed (2-44).
Sharad Vesawkar (54) and Binod Bhandari (37) would provide some resistance but Nepal would fall well short as Shakti Gauchan was left stranded on 37 not out.
Second seeded Netherlands also won impressively, beating Uganda by seven wickets, while Hong Kong beat Scotland by 17 runs in a thrilling contest.
In the remaining match there was a huge upset as Papua New Guinea defeated Kenya by 8 wickets with Assad Vala making 115 not out and Lega Siaka firing 103.
