Dubai: UAE under-16 team survived some anxious moments on their way to recording an impressive four-wicket win over Qatar in their latest match in the Asian Crick Council's Challenge Cup tournament in Thailand.
The UAE team were indebted to a brilliant all-round performance from Bikramjeet Singh. The victory gives the UAE a good chance of qualifying for the ACC Elite Cup as they are second in the table with six points, behind Afghanistan on eight.
Qatar, who went into the game unbeaten in the tournament, elected to bat first after winning the toss.
But it turned out to be a complete disaster as UAE's Ashan Ali Khan and Singh produced dream spells to shatter Qatar's batting.
Relaxed approach
Only two batsmen reached double figures — Saif-ur-Rahman Hasan (19) and Sujit Sadagopan (18) — as Qatar folded up for a modest 81 in 23.5 overs.
With such a small target to chase, the UAE batsmen looked a little too relaxed but received a jolt when their first four wickets fell inside 10 runs.
Another two in quick succession meant the UAE were staring at a humiliating defeat with just 22 on board.
But wicketkeeper Ritik Bagchi and Bikramjeet turned the match around as they put on an unbroken 60-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Both players mixed caution with aggression as they pulled off a stunning victory in the 23rd over to surprise their Qatari counterparts.