The UAE lost a high-scoring thriller yesterday in their final warm-up match against Afghanistan by 14 runs, but one could sense the surging confidence in the side as they leave for Nelson in New Zealand to take on Zimbabwe in their opening World Cup tie.
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Batting first at the Junction Oval in St Kilda, the ground where Australian spin legend Shane Warne honed his skills, Afghanistan made 308-9 in their 50 overs.
In reply, veteran Khurram Khan once again top-scored for the UAE with an 86 (off 73 balls), but the team was bowled out for 294 in the penultimate over.
Mohammad Tauqir’s men had Afghanistan on the mat mid-way through the first innings when they reduced them to 109-4 in the 25th over, but conceded 199 runs in the remaining 25 overs.
Since it was a practice match, both teams could have played their entire squad but UAE stuck to their eleven. Afghanistan, though, decided to give their remaining batsmen in the squad a chance even when more than half the side was dismissed. Similarly, while bowling, they used all eight main bowlers.
Chasing 309 was always going to be difficult, but the UAE batsmen made a spirited attempt, before their plans were ruined by an impending thunderstorm.
It started drizzling around the 35th over mark, which changed the batsmen’s mindset as they started looking at the Duckworth-Lewis target, rather than concentrating on the score.
The storm never arrived and it only started raining after the last UAE wicket fell.
Coach Aaqib Javed was delighted with the batting effort, especially after the debacle against the mighty Australia on Wednesday. “The boys did a brilliant job of chasing such a high score,” he said.
“Khurram obviously was magnificent and he really is the fulcrum of our batting. I am glad he is in such a good form, because he is essential for others to rally around him.
“But all the top-order batsmen looked good out there, which is even more pleasing.
“I do not bother about this result, because this is a practice match and Afghanistan used the strategy of giving all their batsmen a chance.
“We should have bowled the last 10-15 overs better, but that’s always going to be a challenge under this World Cup playing conditions with only four players permitted outside the circle in non-Powerplay overs.
“I think the team batting first will always have the advantage if they put up a good total. But that’s the rule for both sides, and obviously, we will have to adapt.”
The UAE squad leaves today for Nelson, where they play their first match of the World Cup against Zimbabwe on February 19.
