The UAE got their mini-series against Pakistan ‘A’ off to a flying start with a comprehensive six-wicket win at ICC Academy today.
A superb bowling performance from the entire UAE attack saw the tourists bowled out for just 164 with 51 balls left of their innings.
Aaqib Javed’s men then went about chasing the total with consummate ease. No Pakistani bowler posed enough of a problem to the UAE batsmen, who reached their target with 73 balls to spare.
Young opener Andri Berenger backed up his coach’s pre-match praise with an assured unbeaten 77. Berenger’s knock included 8 fours and a six and came off 114 balls at a strike-rate of 67.54.
Fellow opener Amjad Ali had earlier hit a more aggressive 28 from 30 balls which got the UAE off to a perfect start in pursuit of the Pakistan score.
Captain Saqib Ali (20) support Berenger’s anchoring innings before Swapnil Patel (4) and Shaiman Anwar (5) fell cheaply to Pakistan’s stand out bowler Raza Hasan who finished with 3-21 from his ten overs.
Krishna Karate (20*) made sure his side finished off the innings before any further damage could be done.
Earlier on in the day, Nasir Jamshed (78) and captain Sohaib Maqsood (35) had handed their side the initiative with a 74-run partnership for the third wicket but Pakistan’s middle-order crumbled after their respective departures.
Mohammad Naveed (2-35), Kamran Shazad (2-19), Nasir Aziz (2-30) and Krishna Karate (2-34) all put in performances which will encourage Javed as he shapes his side for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year.
The UAE will play four more matches against Pakistan at the ICC Academy. The next takes place on Thursday.
