UAE crush Zimbabwe’s 2019 World Cup hopes

Naveed, Mustafa and Shahzad shine as home side fall three short in rain-affected match

The UAE pulled off a three-run win over Zimbabwe to end the latter’s chances of clinching a place in the 2019 World Cup.

The UAE posted a challenging 235 for seven in a raincurtailed 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’s Sean Williams scored a valiant 80 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.

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.

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.

Mohammad Naveed hit an unbeaten 22 off just ten balls.

UAE 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 Solomon Mire for six and Hamilton Masakadza for seven. Zimbabwe took their score to 45 in 11 over when the left-arm spinner picked the prize wicket of Brendan Taylor, bowling him.

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 fighting knock of 80.