SHARJAH // Fahad al Hashmi and Mohammed Tauqir brought their international experience to the park as the UAE made an impressive start at the Gulf Cup with a thumping 43-run win over Saudi Arabia last night.
Al Hashmi was in a punishing mood, smashing nine sixes in his 60-ball unbeaten knock of 109, while Tauqir made 75 from 48 balls (five fours and two sixes) as the UAE posted 205 for two from their 20 overs.
The duo, who have played international cricket for the UAE, added 178 runs for the second wicket from 17 overs to set a stiff target for Saudi Arabia.
Facing a daunting run-chase, Saudi Arabia made a spirited start with 54 runs from the first five overs. Tauqir, however, broke the opening partnership with his third ball and finished the match with two for 21 from his four overs.
The Saudis were then restricted to 162 for five.
Oman open Gulf Cup campaign with huge win over Kuwait
A blistering century from opener Khalid Moosa gave defending champions Oman a thundering start in the second Gulf Cup with a 156-run win over Kuwait yesterday.
Moosa's 108, coming from just 45 balls, allowed Oman to put 232 for three on the board, in the opening game of the tournament at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium yesterday.
He then returned to grab four wickets for 10 runs from two overs as Kuwait were bowled out for 76 in 17 overs. Sharif Pindook and Shahjahan Sher Mohammed took two wickets apiece.
The fireworks started early as Moosa smashed Tahir Basktaki for 24 runs in the second over of the innings. He and Mohammed Rafiq (74 not out) added 157 runs for the opening wicket at more than 10 an over before the centurion was bowled, going for a massive heave across the line.
Moosa struck six sixes and 10 fours in his blazing knock, while Rafiq's 58-ball innings was laced with four fours and three sixes.
The Gulf Cup, organised by the Sharjah Cricket Council this year, is the only cricket tournament for the nationals of the GCC states and four teams are taking part this year: hosts UAE, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
The four teams will compete on a round-robin basis and the top two will contest the final on Sunday evening.
