(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) After restricting Afghanistan to 248-6 in 50 overs UAE achieved the victory target losing five wickets and with eight balls to spare.
Khurram Khan led from the front for the UAE. — AFP file
Dubai—Hosts UAE started their World Cup preparations in style by defeating Afghanistan by five wickets in the first match of the four-match series at the ICC Global Cricket Academy Dubai on Friday.
After restricting Afghanistan to 248-6 in 50 overs UAE achieved the victory target losing five wickets and with eight balls to spare.
UAE coach Aaqib Javed was pleased with the team’s performance. “It was a great victory to start the World Cup preparations. I am more delighted with the way our bowlers and openers performed. Also the performance of our top batsmen including captain Khurram Khan was good and we hope to win most the matches from hereon. I am very satisfied with how the team is shaping up ahead of the World Cup” Javed told Khaleej Times.
Khurran led from the front hitting a 53 off 70 balls. UAE made a superb start to their chase with Amjad Ali doing the bulk of the scoring. The hosts raced to 34 in six overs and they were 85 without no loss in 16 overs. Ali completed his half-century as UAE stayed on course for an easy win with Andri Berenger also getting his eye in. However UAE were jolted by two successive wickets with Amjad Ali (67 79 balls 4x11) being the first to go in the 23rd over. He was followed by Berenger for a well made 52 (71balls 4x5)
Earlier Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat only to see a quick exit of Usman Ghani. The Afghan opener had a harrowing time with the bat as his 33-ball stay yielded just nine runs before he was run out in the 11th over.
Nawroz Mangal and Afsar Zazai lifted Afghanistan’s spirit with a dominating partnership of 59 for the second wicket to put the innings back on track. Mangal in particular looked in great nick as he found runs at ease.
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