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Kathmandu Friday October 12, 2001 Ashwin 26, 2058.
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UAE make narrow escape as Kuwait beat Malaysia
Post Report
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.
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