The UAE kept their slim hopes of reaching next month’s World Cup Qualifiers alive after their bowlers delivered in style to pull off an unlikely 46-run victory against Oman.
With successive losses to Canada and Nepal, the UAE entered their World Cricket League Division Two clash against their Gulf neighbours knowing nothing but victory would do if they wanted to still be in contention of claiming the top two qualifying spots.
They duly delivered with their bowlers saving the national team after the batsmen struggled again with a total score of 159 despite Ghulam Shabbir’s 63-run effort.
Imran Haider (3-31) and Mohammad Naveed (3-8) were the two to do the most damage as Oman suffered a remarkable batting collapse. At 93-4 at the half-way stage, they appeared to be cruising but the UAE hit back, claiming five wickets for 12 runs.
For spinner Haider, he was happy to have played his role with the ball in a significant victory.
“Obviously to win a match is a special feeling but the way we bounced back and defended a small total was very satisfying,” said the 30-year-old. “I’m delighted to have played an excellent game and I hope we can go on and become stronger from now on.”
For captain Rohan Mustafa, he had nothing but praise for his bowlers. “The way that we came back was excellent and Mohammad Naveed and Imran Haider bowled extremely well,” said the 29-year-old all-rounder. “The wicket wasn’t easy to play on and we gave our wickets away. I’m really happy with how our bowlers bowled.”
Despite years of representing the national team, he was thrilled to have been on the winning side in one of the “most pressurised” games he has played in.
“It was a match where there was a lot of pressure,” Mustafa added. “It wasn’t a type of match that I had played before. But I’m happy to have won because the last two games were very disappointing.”
The result puts the UAE in third position, two points behind Nepal who stay in second following a last-ball three-wicket win over Kenya on Monday. Canada still remain top of the standings with six points despite a shock 17-run defeat to Namibia.
The UAE take on hosts Namibia on Wednesday where victory is essential if they want to reach the Qualifier in Zimbabwe.
Head coach Dougie Brown will be hoping for a better batting performance against Namibia with three of their top six batsmen reaching double figures against Oman.
