Dubai: The UAE Under-16 team got off to a winning start in the Asian Cricket Council Under-16 Western Region tournament with an emphatic eight-wicket win over Oman at the Eden Ajman on Monday.
After restricting Oman to 101 for 5 in the allotted 23 overs, UAE reached the target in 18.2 overs losing only two wickets in the rain-curtailed match. Opener Ansh Tandon steered UAE to victory through a quick 49, studded with three sixes and four boundaries.
Speaking to Gulf News, Tandon said: “I went out to bat with the objective of not getting out and ensure the victory. Though I got out before my half century what mattered to me most was that I brought the team close to victory.”
When asked about the three sixes he hit, Tandon said: “I waited for the right ball and hit them for sixes. All through my innings I picked the right ball to hit.”
UAE bowlers too exhibited good control from the start with opening bowler Chathiya Dashan Huppegoda dismissing Oman opener and captain Mohammad Sameer for 9. One-drop Neev Jayaprakash Poojari lasted only two balls before being run out for 2 by Harsh Ashutosh.
Though opener Rushil Dadwal and Pratamesh Santosh put on 46 for the third wicket, UAE skipper Aryan Lakra provided the breakthrough by having Santhosh stumped for 24. J. Yuvrjaj picked the wicket of Adeel Abass while Dadwal, who batted well to score 35 runs too got run out.
UAE team coach Qasim Ali said: “The team has performed very well in their first match. They batted well, especially Tandon who was unlucky to miss his half century. The spinners controlled the game very well in the middle. The preparation we did before the start has helped the team. Thought it was a rain-delayed match we adapted well to the requirement and performed well.”
Chasing the score, Lakra and Tandon put on 53 in 9.4 overs before Lakra was stumped off Santhosh for 13. Wicketkeeper A Mohammad (22 n.o.) and Shoun Roger (12n.o.) ensured the victory in 18.2 overs.
UAE now take on Maldives today at the Sharjah Stadium. “It will be a great occasion for the UAE boys playing at the historic Sharjah stadium but their focus must be on winning the match and not overawed by the occasion to play in this venue,” added Qasim.
Brief scores:
UAE bt Oman by eight wickets. Oman 101 for 5 in 23 overs (Rushil Dadwal 35, Pratamesh Santosh 24) UAE 104 for 2 in 18.2 overs (Ansh Tandon 49, A. Mohammad 22n.o).
Sunday’s matches:
Kuwait bt Saudi Arabia by 237 runs. Kuwait 297 for 8 in 35 overs (Gokul Kumar 44, Meet Bhavsar 37, Abdul Sadiq 126, Govind Kumar 32; Khuzaima 5 for 55) Saudi Arabia 60 in 24.1 overs (Naman Kirankumar Patel 2 for 11, Zeeshan Azeem J 2 for 2, Jandu Hamoud Amanullah 2 for 7, Abdul Sadiq 2 for 8).
Oman bt Maldives by 10 wkts. Maldives 104 for 8 in 35 overs (Mohammad Sameer 4 for 11) Oman: 106 for no loss in 14 overs (Rushil Dadwal 34 n.o., Mohammad Sameer 61 n.o.).
