Dubai: Left-arm spinner Rahul Bhatia has bowled the UAE into the final of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Western Region Under-19 tournament in Malaysia through his third successive deadly spell to destroy Qatar in the semi-final clash. UAE will meet Kuwait, who had defeated Oman in the second semi-final, for the title.
Rahul, who wrecked Bahrain by bagging six wickets for 25 runs in the first match, destroyed Oman in the second match with a haul of five wickets for just four runs from his six overs. Against Qatar, Rahul took four wickets for 29 runs from his 10 overs to bowl out Qatar for 116 in 42.2 overs. He was well backed in this match by Kartik Palaniappan and Mohammad Ali with two wickets each.
Speaking to Gulf News from Malaysia after taking 15 wickets from three matches, Rahul said: “I have stopped counting how many wickets I am picking from each match but concentrating only on taking the wickets to ensure UAE’s win.”
Chasing the total, UAE skipper Fahad Nawaz and Aryan Lakra gave their team a splendid start through a 92-run partnership in 25.2 overs.
Nawaz cracked 52 off 65 balls with seven boundaries and Lakra scored 35 off 92 before being run out.
Though UAE lost wicketkeeper Syed Haider for three runs, Ansh Tandon (15 n.o) and Neil Lobo (5 n.o) steered UAE to the target in 32.3 overs.
