Dubai: The UAE pulled off a three-run victory over Zimbabwe to end the latter’s chance of clinching a slot in the 2019 World Cup.
The UAE posted a challenging 235 for seven in a rain-curtailed match. Zimbabwe needing to score 230 runs in 40 overs managed 226 for seven.
UAE pacer Mohammad Naveed bowled a brilliant last over giving just 11 runs when Zimbabwe needed 15 runs to win. He also took three wickets for 40 runs well backed by Rohan Mustafa with two wickets for 56.
Zimbabwe fought through Sean Williams who hit a valiant 80 runs but his knock went in vain.
Zimbabwe won the toss and put the UAE in to bat. UAE lost opener Ashfaq Ahmad for only 10 runs when he was caught behind off Tendai Chatara while attempting to play a delivery without moving his feet.
Before getting out he had hit two consecutive boundaries off Chatara to mid-off and past square leg.
Opener Mustafa then took charge and along with Ghulam Shabber kept the score board moving at a brisk pace. By the 20th over, UAE scored 92 runs and the pair put on 74 runs for the second wicket. Shabber slog swept off- spinner Sikander Raza for a six while Mustafa picked the gaps for boundaries.
Raza had Mustafa leg before for 31 while attempting a reverse sweep. Mustafa’s 31 contained three boundaries and came off 58 balls.
In the 25th over, Shabber too fell bowled around his legs by Raza for 40 while attempting to sweep. His knock came off 62 balls with four boundaries and one six.
Rameez Shahzad lofted Raza over mid off and used his feet to get a few boundaries. He added 74 runs for the fourth wicket with Shaiman Anwar.
At the score on 180, Chatara had Shahzad caught at mid-off for 59. His brisk knock came off 61 balls with four boundaries and two sixes.
The UAE from 180 for three then began to lose wickets regularly. Sean Williams had Mohammad Usman out for four when he got caught in the deep by Craig Ervine.
In the 43rd over, the in-form Anwar too became Raza’s victim. He made Anwar pull to Blessing Muzarbani at deep midwicket for 33.
Mohammad Naveed hit an unbeaten 22 off just ten balls. He scored three consecutive boundaries off Kyle Jarvis in the 47th over and also hit a six off Muzarbani over midwicket.
UAE thus were 235 for seven in 47.5 overs when rain stopped play.
Chasing the revised target of 230 in 40 overs, Zimbabwe lost their openers early as Naveed dismissed opener Solomon Mire for six and Hamilton Masakadza for seven.
Zimbabwe took their score to 45 in 11 over when left-arm spinner picked the prize wicket of Brendan Taylor by clean bowling him for 15.
Sean Williams and Peter Moor put on 79 runs for the fourth wicket before Qadeer Ahmad ended the partnership by dismissing Moor for 39.
Raza joined Williams and posted 61 runs in 6.5 overs before Mustafa got Raza out for 34. Mustafa also ended Williams fight knock of 80 when Amir Hayat took a brilliant one handed catch.
Brief score: UAE bt Zimbabwe by 3 runs (D/L method) UAE 235 for 7 in 47.5 overs (Rohan Mustafa 31, Ghulam Shabber 40, Rameez Shahzad 59, Shaiman Anwar 33, Mohammad Naveed 22n.o, Sikandar Raza 3 for 41) Zimbabwe 226 for 7 in 40 over (Peter Moor 39, Sean Williams 80, Sikandar Raza 34, Mohammad Naveed 3 for 40, Rohan Mustafa 2 for 56)
