Unlucky UAE bow out despite Naveed’s last-ball heroics

Denzil Pinto 23:44 18/03/2016
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  • Mohammad Naveed.

    Questions were raised when fast-bowler Mohammad Naveed smashed a last-ball six at Dubai’s Sevens Ground, which would have tied the match at 145 according to the live television and online scoring system.

    However, the umpires had followed the paper scores, notifying the players what was needed to win before the start of the last over.

    There was confusion within the UAE camp, having seen the game live on television. But there were no protests on the field with Naveed and Sreekumar (61no) shaking hands with their opponents.

    Despite Emirates Cricket Board officials raising questions and after lengthy discussions, by which time captain Amjad Javed had left the venue, the original result still stood.

    Lancashire still would have reached the final, having scored more runs after the first Powerplay. As per the English T20 Blast rules, and with no Super Over in place. the UAE scored 105 after the sixth over, 10 fewer than Lancashire (115).

    It was a hard defeat to swallow for the UAE, who were clearly buoyed in confidence from their impressive Asia Cup in Bangladesh.

    With coach Aaqib Javed away on vacation in Pakistan, his troops seemed on course to reach their 146 target. After losing two early wickets, Sreekumar sent out on a strong message why he will be a valuable player with a superb unbeaten 61-run knock, hitting nine fours in his 51 deliveries.

    That helped his team recover from 22-2 to 108-5 after 16 overs.

    The Associate outfit continued to pile the runs. With 13 needed from the last two overs, captain Javed upped the ante, hitting 11. But Lancashire hit back with two quick wickets in the final over as Kyle Jarvis removed the 35-year-old Javed and Waheed Ahmed (0).

    Earlier, Rohan Mustafa (3-27) was the stand-out bowler for the UAE, as captain Steven Croft led from the front with a 38-run knock.

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