The UAE maintained their perfect start to the Cricket World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday with an 80 run victory over Canada.
Amjad Ali (91) and captain Khurram Khan (88) were the pick of the batsmen as the UAE completed their innings 286 for 6.
Having won the toss, the UAE chose to bat first and soon lost opening batsman Salman Farris, who managed to score 18 runs before JOA Gordan took his only wicket; dismissing Farris through Hamza Tariqs catch.
Shaiman Anwar, who scored a century in UAE’s opening round match against Nepal went for just a run after facing two balls.
After setting Canada a tough target, the UAE wasted little time in dismantling their opponents, taking three wickets in the first five overs for the loss of just nine runs.
Naveed bowled Nitish Kumar on the 15th ball of the innings, and Kumar’s opening partner Ruvindu Gunasekera soon followed, caught out by Rohan Mustafa from a Manjula Guruge delivery.
Canada kept the game alive when Jimmy Hansara came in three down to score 100 not out from 119 balls, but after his 89-run partnership with Raza-Ur-Rehman (43) was broken, their chances of claiming victory looked highly unlikely.
UAE skipper Khan, added to his 88 run display as he bowled out Rehman and Trevin Bastiampillai (17), while Kamran Shezad disappointed after his previous brilliant form in the opener, picking up no wickets.
In their next fixture, UAE face Scotland on January 19.
Elsewhere, Nambia won their opener against Netherlands by 91 runs in the other qualifier on Wednesday after posting 253 for 6. Gerrie Snymar top-scored with 76, while Christi Viljoen picked up four wickets.
The Dutch were all out for 162 with their top scorer Michael Rippon amassing 44 off 73 balls.
