ABU DHABI // The UAE got their first win on the board in the ICC Under 19 World Cup after a resounding seven-wicket victory against fellow Associates Scotland in the Plate quarter-finals at the Zayed Cricket stadium on Sunday.
Omer Mohammed and Pankaj Samant, both from the Zayed Cricket Academy and opening the attack, took seven wickets between them to skittle out Scotland for 119 after the UAE put them to bat first on a seaming wicket.
“It is a good feeling to play against a team at the same level and have World Cup win after three tough games against Test-playing nations,” said Aaqib Javed, the UAE coach.
“It definitely is a massive boost for the players ahead of our next game against New Zealand (on Tuesday) whom we face for the second time after our meeting in the group stage. We are hopeful of a better performance against them scond time.
“We bowled very well against Scotland, particularly Omer, with his natural in-swing. When it came to chasing the target we didn’t try to throw the bat at everything. There was more discipline in the batting.”
Scotland would not have crossed the three-figure total had the UAE not conceded 31 extras, the highest contribution in their total.
“It was difficult to control the swing for these young bowlers on a cold morning but the number of wide deliveries they bowled didn’t really matter because they were picking up wickets,” Aaqib said.
Omer bowled his 10 overs unchanged to return with four for 24 while Samant took three for 15 in his second five-over spell after his first five overs went for nought for 30.
“I have to thank the coach for the workload he put in to improve my bowling and the faith he had on my abilities,” Omer said.
“He worked on my bowling and gave me the responsibility to open the bowling. I was only a part timer before. I am glad that I could contribute to the team and looking ahead for the next game.”
apassela@thenational.ae
