UAE were brought crashing back to reality after losing to Oman in the Cricket World Cup League 2 at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
In their first engagement since sealing qualification for the T20 World Cup in fine style in Muscat last week, they lost out by 12 runs in the first one-day international.
The national team appeared well set after they restricted Oman to 225 for seven from their 50 overs.
But they fell short in the face of probing pace bowling from Bilal Khan, who took five wickets, and Kaleemullah, who went for just 17 from his 10 overs, while picking up two wickets.
The margin of defeat was only as narrow as it was thanks to a 41-run stand for the last wicket between captain Ahmed Raza and No 11 batter Zahoor Khan.
“This is how cricket is – it’s a great leveller,” Raza said. “We were flying high, but we did have an honest chat before this series in which we pointed out we haven’t won the World Cup, and we haven’t done anything in 50-over cricket.
“We only have 25 [Cricket World Cup League 2] games to get ourselves into the World Cup Qualifiers. We don’t want to get behind the eight ball in that.”
Raza was disappointed by the home batting line up’s failure to chase a target that appeared eminently gettable on a docile wicket.
“I think it was down to a lack of intent,” he said. “It is alright to strike at 60 [per hundred balls] but then you can’t get out. You have to take the team home.
“One big thing that we have spoken a lot about in the past is that losing wickets in clusters is a crime. It allows your opponent to come back into the game.
“When you have a required run-rate of 4.5, it shouldn’t be going out to seven or eight at any stage, on a very, very good cricket wicket.”
For Oman, the win avenged two defeats suffered on home soil against the same opposition last month. The have also had to come to terms with missing out on reaching the T20 World Cup.
They face Namibia in the next game of the tri-series on Sunday, looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Whether they will have the services of their captain, Zeeshan Maqsood, for that game is doubtful.
Maqsood sustained a groin injury while batting against UAE and hobbled through much of his side’s fielding effort.
Injury notwithstanding, Maqsood was delighted with the way his side bounced back from their recent disappointments.
“We didn’t play good cricket at that time,” Maqsood said of his side’s failure to make it through the T20 World Cup Qualifier.
“We have many more matches to play and we have to perform better to win, because UAE and Namibia have good players and they are not going to give you easy wins.
“Today’s game is a big booster for us. In the last few weeks we didn’t perform well, but cricket doesn’t end. We have to look forward, play well and perform for the team and for the country.”
Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
RESULTS
Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
The biog
Name: Timothy Husband
Nationality: New Zealand
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Super Bowl LIII schedule
What Super Bowl LIII
Who is playing New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams
Where Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States
When Sunday (start time is 3.30am on Monday UAE time)
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)
TV: Abu Dhabi Sports
