The UAE can look forward to facing the likes Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the Under-19 Asia Cup this week after delivering when it really mattered to thrash Kuwait by 194 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method in the Western Region final on Tuesday day.
With three consecutive victories under their belt, the UAE arguably faced their toughest test of the tournament against their Gulf neighbours, who also boasted a perfect record from their four games.
Both sides had to wait more than an hour due to rain at Malaysia’s Kinrara Oval but when play started, it proved to be a one-sided contest.
The UAE set an imposing total of 275-7 with skipper Fahad Nawaz (69), Aryan Lakra (51) and Krishna Lakhani (55) all reaching half-centuries.
That was too much for Kuwait, as Nawaz (3-14), Rahul Bhatia (3-19) and Muhammed Ali (3-19) ripped through the batting order as they were all out for 80 runs.
For the UAE, it will be the second time they will be competing in the Asia Cup following their 2013-2014 participation when they qualified as hosts.
They will now stay on in Malaysia ahead of their opening match against 2016 runners-up Sri Lanka on Friday.
They will also face Pakistan and Afghanistan with the top two sides advancing to the semi-finals.
For Lakra, who helped put on a 113-run stand for the opening wicket with Nawaz, could not hide his delight of helping the team reach the main competition.
“It really feels great to be part of the UAE team to have qualified for the Asia Cup,” he said. “I think this is the first time the UAE have qualified in an age-event and this victory shows it is a really good step for junior cricket to continue growing in the UAE.”
Lakra’s half-century was even more significant considering it was his first ever international fifty and was happy it came at this stage.
“I was really pleased with my half-century. It was my first half-century for the UAE at Under-19 and was really happy to get it.”
“This 50 would have to be at the top of all of them right now, scoring a half-century in the Asian Cup final qualifiers is a great feeling.”
