Chirag Suri was happy to have taken the responsibility with the bat in the UAE’s six-wicket victory over the Netherlands in their World Cup Qualifier clash on Thursday.
The 23-year-old batsman frustrated the Dutch bowlers with a solid display in Zimbabwe with an unbeaten 78 as his side chased down 177 with six overs to spare.
Suri was playing in his second straight game after replacing Ashfaq Ahmed in the starting lineup and was pleased to have played a vital match-winning knock.
“When you’re chasing a score of 170 odd, you’ve got time to get in and that’s what I planned to do,” he said. “Initially, I left the balls that were going off-stump and knew I didn’t have to fiddle with those. I was playing the balls within the stump as the ball was skipping up and down.
“It wasn’t an easy wicket. But for me, it was important to go across the line especially after playing so many balls. If you come in and then get out, it’s not going to help the team’s cause and I was really happy to convert the score and take the team over the line.”
It's been a day to remember for @CricketScotland, @westindies, @EmiratesCricket and @CricketHK!
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 8, 2018
All the stories from day three in Zimbabwe - Today at the #CWCQ! ⬇️⬇️https://t.co/Ws5siTaOql pic.twitter.com/tXv07QUeeU
He added: “Whenever we lost wickets, we never lost them in patches. In the top three, you need someone to take you through and luckily I was the one.”
Despite his heroic efforts, Suri was denied the man of the match award with captain Rohan Mustafa once again leading from the front. The all-rounder rattled the Dutch batting line-up with figures of 5-26 and Suri had nothing but praise for the skipper.
“He is someone who always likes to attack the stumps,” said Suri, who was bought by Gujarat Lions in last year’s IPL. “He has worked really hard for us and is picking up wickets at a very crucial time for us. It’s not just today, he’s been doing that for a couple of games now. His contribution is invaluable. I hope he keeps that going.”
The result puts the UAE on the verge of reaching the Super Six stage after two wins from three games. Ireland are up next on Tuesday and Suri insists they will not get carried away and focus on each game as it comes.
“We have come here to progress in the tournament. We have always dreamed of a World Cup and this is one step closer. But we have to keep working. But will take it game by game, we don’t want to get too carried away. First there is Ireland and we want to focus on that game.”
