Adnan Mufti scored his maiden first-class century as the UAE were bowled out for 269 on Day 1 of their Intercontinental Cup match against Namibia in Windhoek.
The national team are level on points with their hosts at the bottom of the four-day competition.
However, they are hoping to extend their upturn in form of recent months, which included a comprehensive win over Papua New Guinea in their previous outing in first-class cricket.
Back then, Mohammed Usman and Saqlain Haider scored their first centuries in whites while playing for UAE.
This time round it was the turn of Mufti, the left-handed batsman, to reach three figures.
Quality from you today @mufti_adnan under pressure. The dressing room has never been so quiet! 🇦🇪 https://t.co/cl8gD8id8x
— Dougie Brown (@dougie1brown) September 16, 2017
Mufti has been struggling to force a permanent berth for himself in the UAE middle order, despite impressing on most starts he has had since an eyecatching debut against England Lions in December.
His effort against the Namibians was a vital return, though, given the struggles of the rest of the UAE batting line up.
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Only Rameez Shahzad (40) and Rohan Mustafa, the captain who might otherwise have been representing UAE in the Indoor Cricket World Cup, who made 36, stayed for any appreciable length of time.
Namibia were eight for no loss from the four overs they face before stumps on Day 1.
The four day match will be followed by two 50-over fixtures in the World Cricket League Championship later in the week.
