DUBAI // Ahsan Ali provided evidence as to why he is so highly regarded in UAE cricket by bowling Sharjah to an opening-day victory over Dubai in the first National Under 19 tournament.
As captain of Sharjah’s select XI, Ali led his side to a comfortable five-wicket win at the Fairgrounds Oval in Academic City.
The seam bowler, who was part of the UAE’s 30-man probables squad before the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, took five wickets for 39 as Dubai, for whom Ethan Holmes made a half-century, fell to 212 all out.
Mohammed Afzal, the wicket-keeper batsman, hit a six to seal the victory for Sharjah, and reached an undefeated 55 in the process. “Our boys performed very well, considering it was a dead wicket and not very easy for fast bowlers,” Ali said.
“It is very good for young players like us to be involved in a tournament like this, to try to improve our games, and hopefully the UAE can find some new talent.”
Mohammed Hyder, the Sharjah coach, believes the new competition, which pits the leading teenage cricketers from four emirates against each other, is a significant boost for the game here.
“It is a good opportunity for the boys, and it gives a chance to see 50 cricketers in match action,” Hyder said. “There is only so much you can learn about a player from seeing them at nets. Seeing them in a game situation is more revealing.”
Sharjah are likely to face a tougher test when they face Abu Dhabi today.
The side from the capital thrashed Ajman in their opening match, with Mohammed Riyan scoring the first hundred of the competition and Yodhin Punja hitting a rapid half-century as Abu Dhabi racked up 387 in their 50 overs.
pradley@thenational.ae
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