The UAE are a match away from playing at the Under 19 World Cup in South Africa after another resounding win at the Asia Qualifier in Malaysia.
Aryan Lakra was named Man of the Match for the second time in the space of two days, after guiding his side to a nine-wicket win over Singapore.
After taking five wickets with his spin bowling against Kuwait a day earlier, the UAE captain this time made an unbeaten half-century opening the batting, to lead his side to victory.
It was the national age-group side’s fourth successive win in the six-team competition. If they beat Oman, who sit fourth in the group with one win from their four matches so far, in their final match on Thursday, UAE will advance to the main event in South Africa next January and February.
The UAE started in dominant fashion, dismissing each of the Singapore openers for ducks, and they hardly let up thereafter.
Mohammed Farazuddin was the pick of the UAE attack, taking 3-11 from his 10 overs as Singapore crawled to 134-9 in their 50.
Lakra himself took 2-23, while there was a wicket apiece for Ansh Tandon and Niel Lobo.
Lakra then shared in a stand worth 61 opening the batting with Syed Haider, then an unbroken one worth 76 with wicketkeeper Vriitya Aravind for the second wicket.
“It was another really good win and now we are just looking forward to the final game,” Lakra said.
“Hopefully we can win that, and qualify for the World Cup. I think the team is in a really good spot, everyone knows what to do, they know their roles really well.
“We are keeping things simple, and that has been the secret to our success.”
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