UAE face uphill task against Scotland in Hampshire

Denzil Pinto 14:36 28/05/2015
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  • Moderate success: Mohammad Tauqir.

    The UAE require another 520 runs today to win their friendly game after Scotland continued to dominate in Hampshire.

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    At the AEGIS Bowl, the UAE closed play with 43 runs on board and all 10 wickets intact in their second innings after their opponents declared twice yesterday. 

    Asif Iqbal (16) and Amjad Ali (23) enter the final day unbeaten, but the UAE will need to improve their all-round play after being second best in the match so far.

    With Scotland resuming the second day on 339-6, the European side declared on 431-8 after Michael Leask (62) became Mohammad Tauqir’s second victim of the day. 

    And just like they did with the bat, Scotland were far superior with the ball. 

    The UAE had no answer to the fast bowling variations of medium-pacer Safyaan Sharif, who was the stand out bowler with figures of 5-41. 

    His superb effort saw the UAE all out for 73, Amjad Ali top-scoring with 19.

    Scotland picked up where they left off in the second innings, Hamish Gardiner (54) and Andrew Umeed (64) both smashing half-centuries.

    Middle-order batsman George Munsey, who managed 26 on Tuesday, went on to score 57 before being dismissed by Fayyaz Ahmed as Scotland declared on 195-4
    Earlier in the first innings, Iqbal, making his debut for the UAE following impressive displays for Danube Lions, had a day to forget with the 32-year-old out for a duck after facing just three balls.  

    The UAE were soon 4-2 after former Under-19 player Chirag Suri (3) fell to Alaisdair Evans. 

    Saqib Ali, recalled to the squad after being overlooked for the World Cup, was involved in a 38-run partnership with Amjad. 

    However, Gavin Main broke that partnership with Saqib (15) sent back to the pavilion. 

    The UAE, playing in their first game in the longer format since September 2013, continued to struggle at the crease losing their remaining wickets for just 31 
    runs.

    Following today’s game in England, the UAE will travel to Dublin for their first-round four-day ICC Inter-Continental match against Ireland, which begins on Tuesday.

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