UAE make narrow escape as Kuwait beat Malaysia

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LALITPUR, Oct 11 - A crucial 38-run last wicket partnership rescued the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to a thrilling one-wicket win against Qatar in a Pool A match played at the Engineering Institute ground A on Thursday under the U-19 Youth Asia Cup Cricket tournament.

In the other Pool A match held at ground B of the same venue, Kuwait surprised Malaysia overhauling the 228-run target by three wickets in 46.4 overs.

A stunning defeat was looming large over the Emirates, pre-tournament favourites, at one stage with eight of their batsmen already back in pavilion when the score was 131 runs, chasing the victory target of 198.

Things went awfully wrong for UAE as they lost both the openers with only 23 runs on board. Vivek Reji Thomas was first to go at one and Faisal Amin followed the suit soon after he reached 10 bringing two new batsmen to the crease. However, Naimuddin and Sameer Zia put their judicious aggression into play to swing things back in favour of UAE putting on invaluable 51 runs for the third wicket.

But Naimuddin (23) found himself a mile away from home while a brilliant catch by Irfan Hussein off the bowling of skipper Omar Javed put an end to Zia’s confident innings of 25 runs (5 x 4).

Even as wickets kept tumbling at the other end, Imran Butt, revived UAE hopes with his aggressive batting. He made 35 runs off 30 delivers, hitting six fours before he too was found short of making his grounds.

That brought Muhammad Abdullah and Abdul Rehman together who held their nerves under pressure to steal the match away from the grip of Qatar. Abdullah hit five fours and a six to remain unbeaten at 41 while Rehman gave his partner the much needed company to hold his ground at one to the dismay of Qatar team. Abdullah was declared man of the match.

"We put ourselves into trouble as our batsmen were getting a bit carried away earlier on," said the UAE skipper Muhammad Usman. "However, we got the job done…we’re on course to lift the title. God willing."

Ameen Ullah was the pick of Qatar bowling, claiming three wickets giving away 22 runs in 8.2 overs before he pulled his leg muscle and had to stay away from attack.

Earlier, Qatar put up a descent total of 197 in 44.5 overs after they won the toss and elected to bat first.

Their innings was built around superb batting of Irfan Shahid, who tore apart the opposition attack on his way to 60 which included five fours and three sixes.

UAE skipper, Muhammed Usman, stuck to his line and length and reaped rich rewards bagging four wickets that prevented Qatar from crossing 200 mark.

Kuwait, after a disastrous start, made a strong recovery led by a brilliant 78 not out from
Ajish Mathew to cross the Malaysian score of 227 in 46.4 overs in the other Pool A match of the opening day.

Noor Roslee brought early cheers to the Malaysian camp, trapping Kuwait opener Hamza Arif in the very first ball of Kuwaiti innings. But 64-run second wicket partnership between Zeesan Gabari (33) and Taimoor Asaraf (20) set up the tempo.

Mathew, who was named man of the match later, in company with Adeel Asad (30) took away the match from Malaysia and with Farooq Jamsheed (10*) sealed the match.

"Our boys have done wonderful job," Deepak Sharma, the assistant team manager of Kuwait, was all smiles. "We’ll try even harder tomorrow to make UAE struggle once again."

Kuwait face off UAE in their second pool A match.

Earlier on, Malaysia, who were invited to bat first by Kuwait, scored 227 runs in 49.4 overs. After losing an early wicket at 29 runs S Gopinath and Sura Prakash added 98 runs for the second wicket. Gopinath scored 53 while Prakash failed one run short off his half-century.

For Kuwait Ali Talib was the most successful bowler, returning with a figure of 4-27.

S'pore thrash Maldives

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LALITPUR, Oct 11 - Singapore posted a comprehensive 8-wicket victory over The Maldives in the pool ‘B’ match in the Youth Asia Cup 2001 played at the St. Xavier’s Cricket Ground on Thursday.

Singapore achieved the target of 164 runs in 37.3 overs with 8 wickets to spare.

Singapore skipper Main mediumpacer Sanjit Ahmad trapped Ahmed Subir leg before on 9 runs, with just 16 runs on the scoreboard. Ahmad’s opening partner Ibrahim Ijuaz Hafiz scored steady 37 runs which included four boundaries and a sixer— the only in the match.

Apart from Hafiz, rest of the batsmen failed to score even though the Singapore bowlers failed to show any discipline with the bowling. Extras— 45 of them in 50 overs— were the major contributors in the Maldives’ innings, more than any single batsman.

Skipper Mainuddin Shabbir was pick of the bowlers taking three-wickets including the key wicket of Hafiz, who impressed with his bat. Shabbir conceded just 23 runs in 10 overs.

Likewise, Riaj Altaf Hussain also picked three wickets. Rajesh Lakhwar proved to be the most economic bowler of the side conceding just 14 runs for two wickets in his 10-over spell.

Chasing a seemingly small target, Singapore’s opener got up to a flyer adding 117 runs for first wicket. Both of the Maldives’ opening bowlers were severely punished by Singapore opening duo of Glen Mayer and Sanjit Ahmed. Mayer scored 44 runs with three boundaries to his name. Ahmed departed just after Mayar with a useful contribution of 39 runs with six fours.

Towards the end, Riaz Altaf Hussain fired an unbeaten 26 runs off 24 balls including three perfectly hit boundaries as he was well supported by skipper Mainuddin with quick 10 runs
off 13. Mohammed Mahafooz was the only Maldives bowler to impress conceding 27 runs in 10 overs with a wicket to his name.

With this win Singapore joined Nepal at the top of the points table in Pool ‘B’— both with one wins each. United Arab Emirates will take on Kuwait of pool ‘A’ on Friday at the same ground.