Australians give the UAE cricketing lessons in T20
We didn’t start well and didn’t go after the bowling at the straight. We upped the run rate but I should have stayed till the end
Shaiman Anwar
abu dhabi — Lack of experience in rubbing shoulders with the big boys saw the UAE crumble to seven wicket loss to Australia in the one-off T20 played in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Two wickets and two maidens — the UAE didn’t justify their decision to bat first as Australian pacers Nathan Coulter-Nile and Billy Stanlake packed back openers Ashfaq Ahmed and Rohan Mustafa. Stanlake then removed Chirag Suri to push the UAE to 17/3 from some six overs.
However, the experienced hand of Shaiman Anwar and Rameez Shahzad plugged further damage. Shaiman struck lusty blows of Andrew Tye and Stanlake as the pair took the UAE past 50 runs in 10 overs. But Coulter-Nile returned to end the 53-run fourth wicket partnership.
Unfortunately Shaiman (41 from 44 balls, 3X4, 2X6) departed in the slog overs while trying a scoop shot. Despite his loss, the UAE hit 45 runs in the final four overs. The charge was led by Mohammad Naveed, who played a useful 13ball 27 with two boundaries and sixes to take the UAE to 117/6.
In reply, Australia started with a blip as Amir Hayat removed skipper Aaron Finch (1) cheaply. But D’Arcy Short and Chris Lynn made
it 30 from five overs to quash any UAE hopes.
Amir ended the 26-run stand with scalp of Lynn. Imran Haider got prized wicket of Glenn Maxwell (18), who became only the third Australian to play 50 T20 matches. But D’Arcy Short (68) and debutant Ben McDermott (10) combined to take Australia home with 23 balls to spare. Amir ended his outings with two for 26 runs.
D’Arcy said the match was an important preparation ahead of match against Pakistan on Wednesday. “Getting runs give you a lot of confidence ahead of the first match on Wednesday.” He noted the match was a good opportunity for the UAE to assess their game.
“Hopefully they can learn from us and we can do the same as well. The way they bowled their wickets at the start was very good and definitely worth it,” he said and lauded Shaiman’s was someone to lookout for in T20 scene.
Shaiman, meanwhile, said this was a top opportunity gone begging due to terrible start to the innings. “We didn’t start well and didn’t go after the bowling at the straight. We upped the run rate but I should have stayed till the end. If we had managed 150 runs, it would have been interesting. Our boys surely got to learn much from this match,” said Shaiman and noted Australia will give Pakistan a tough challenge.