UAE captain hopeful of staying in the race
Mustafa’s men score a comeback win over Oman after two successive defeats
UAE skipper Rohan Mustafa is hopeful of winning their last group match against Namibia today and remain in the race for a slot in the ICC World Cup qualifiers. UAE’s 46-run victory over Oman on Monday, after successive defeats to Canada and Nepal in the ICC World Cricket League match held at the Affies Park in Windhoek, has given the team hopes of a comeback.
“We have to win against Namibia at all costs. It is a very important match for us so that we can have the chance to reach the World Cup qualifiers,” UAE skipper Rohan Mustafa told Gulf News from Windhoek.
Though UAE were restricted to 159 in 46 overs through some tight bowling from Oman, UAE bowlers fought back through their pacer Mohammad Naveed (3 for 8) and leg-spinner Imran Haider (3 for 31) and bowled out Oman for 113 in 36.5 overs. Left-arm spinner Ahmad Raza too chipped in with 2 for 16.
Good run rate
UAE could register a fighting total due to Ghulam Shabber’s 63 runs.
“We have a good run rate and if we win the last match then it will come to the run rate. So we will try our best to win this match.”
When asked the reason for the UAE’s batting failure in matches against Canada and Nepal, Mustafa said: “It was rainy weather and the wickets weren’t well-prepared. Any bowler could do anything on such wickets. Hope we get a good wicket for the match against Namibia,” said Mustafa. UAE team will now have a new sponsor in Al Nabooda Insurance Brokers (ANIB). They have has entered into a partnership with the Emirates Cricket Board as Official Sponsor of the UAE National Cricket Teams, for 2018, which includes the Men’s, Women’s, U19 and U16 representative sides.