Suri scored 58 runs off 105 deliveries in the hosts’ 77-run victory over Zimbabwe ‘A’ side on Thursday at Dubai’s ICC Academy. He was one of three batsmen to cross the 50-mark with new boy Ashfaq Ahmed and wicket-keeper Ghulam Shabbir hitting an identical figure of 65.
But neither of the trio was given the man of the match award with the accolade going to medium pacer Zahoor Khan after his 5-45 saw Zimbabwe all out for 206 in their chase of 283-5.
For Suri, his wait to score a fifty was finally over on his eighth attempt since being recalled to the national team in July. His previous highest score was 41 against Namibia in the four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup in September but is happy to get that first half-century off his back.
“Obviously, it’s a good feeling,” said Suri, who failed to reach double figures in his two matches in the series. “I’ve been batting really well in practice matches but in a couple of the games for the UAE, I was not able to get a start. I was getting out early and being unlucky. I spoke to the coaches and they said just put that behind me.
“I would’ve liked to have scored a hundred but played another shot but that’s cricket and something I’ll have to learn from. Definitely very happy to get my first half-century for UAE.”
Suri could have another opportunity to make it two consecutive fifties or even a maiden international century with the UAE chasing a 5-0 series whitewash in Saturday’s final game of the series.
“Yeah, definitely (there will be more runs to come),” said Suri, who was bought by Gujarat Lions in the IPL auction earlier this year.
“Once you start scoring runs, you get into that mode of scoring runs. I didn’t think I was playing my best cricket yesterday but I did on the wicket and survived. This is a good lesson for me as well. I was really patient in my innings and if I’m patient in all the games I play, hopefully can get some big runs in the bag.”
