UAE fail in run chase against New Zealand

Denzil Pinto 08:31 24/11/2014
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  • Learning curve: The UAE were beaten by New Zealand ‘A’ in Dubai.

    Shaiman Anwar and Krishna Karate’s half centuries went in vain as the UAE suffered a 78-run defeat to New Zealand ‘A’ in a prac­tice match on Sunday.

    – Learn from the best at Gary Kirsten's coaching clinic in Dubai

    Batting first at the ICC Academy in Dubai, Martin Guptill smashed 75 runs off 94 balls in New Zea­land’s 246. UAE captain Khurram Khan claimed 3-48, while Moham­med Naveed, Manjula Guruge and Nasir Aziz shared two wickets each.

    In reply, the UAE got off to a poor start and found themselves in trou­ble at 21-5.

    Anwar and Karate then put on a sixth wicket partnership of 89 runs, but the Kiwi bowlers restricted the hosts to 168.

    With New Zealand ‘A’ consist­ing of several international players in Daniel Vettori and captain Kyle Mills, the match provided a glimpse of what to expect at next year’s World Cup.

    But coach Aaqib Javed was satis­fied with his team’s performance, saying: “We started the game really well bowling out New Zealand for 246.

    “When batting, it was just a col­lapse losing quick wickets, but Shaiman and Karate put on a good partnership to restore the innings.”

    Asked if the players were nerv­ous, he said: “No, I don’t think they were but batting collapses just hap­pen, not just for us but for any team.

    “We just have to learn how cru­cial it is put on a good start because we will need to do that for the World Cup.

    “This game will have given the players a lot of confidence because to reduce them to 246 is a remark­able effort.

    Openers Guptill and Anton Devcich got New Zealand to a strong start putting on an unbeaten 111 for the first wicket before the latter was dismissed by Naveed.

    The Kiwis lost three quick wick­ets as Guptill, Dean Brownlie and Colin Munro all fell.

    In reply, the UAE got off to the worst possible start with both open­ers Amjad Ali and Andri Berenger out for ducks.

    Anwar and Karate did offer some resistance, with the former in fine form.

    Karate continued to push for the runs, smashing two maximums and three boundaries before being run-out.

    Wickets fell for the UAE and Doug Bracewell sealed victory by bowling Guruge in the 45th over.

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