Dougie Brown left frustrated after rain denies UAE chance of reaching Emerging Teams Asia Cup semi-finals

The UAE appeared well placed, having restricted their familiar rivals to 87-4 in 31 overs when the rain arrived

Rohan Mustafa, middle, won the man-of-the-match award after he took two wickets and made a speedy 38 not out in the run chase against Malaysia at the Asia Cup Qualifier. Courtesy ACC

Rohan Mustafa, centre, and Ahmed Raza were two of three players fined and suspended for their comments on social media. Courtesy ACC

Paul Radley

Dec 09, 2018

UAE coach Dougie Brown said his side’s rain-enforced exit from the Emerging Nations Asia Cup was “incredibly frustrating”.

For the second time this season, the national team were left to rue bad weather in a match against Hong Kong for depriving them of a major prize.

Back in September, the national team missed out on qualification for a home Asia Cup after a loss in a rain-affected match to Hong Kong in Malaysia.

This time round, they were denied a place in the semi-final of the Emerging Nations tournament.

The eight-team competition pits together Under 23 sides from the continent’s five Test nations – Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – as well as the senior teams of UAE, Oman and Hong Kong.

Dubai, August, 06, 2018: UAE National team coach Dougie Brown (R) watch his team players trains ahead of the Asia Cup Qualifier later this month at the ICC Academy in Dubai. Satish Kumar for the National/ Story by Paul Radley — Dougie Brown, right, conceded the UAE players were feeling a little flat after the result. Satish Kumar for The National

After an opening day win against Bangladesh, then a loss to Pakistan, victory against Hong Kong would almost certainly have seen UAE through to the knockout stage, to be played in Sri Lanka.

They appeared well placed, having restricted their familiar rivals to 87-4 in 31 when the rain arrived at the Southend Stadium in Karachi. The weather set in to the extent no result was achieved, meaning the points were shared.

At the same time, across the city at the National Stadium, Bangladesh were putting together a surprise win over Pakistan. That gave them the two points they needed to leapfrog UAE into second place in Group B.

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“It is incredibly frustrating and we are all pretty flat at the moment,” Brown said.

“It was a flat wicket and we had batted and bowled magnificently. We were in a fantastic position, then it rained heavily for half an hour.

“When they took the covers off, the water had leaked all over the square. It was incredibly disappointing.

“To know the whole outcome of this, having played really good cricket to beat Bangladesh convincingly a few days ago, beating them by 100 runs, and had chances against Pakistan, is frustrating.

“The most annoying thing is we spent the whole day watching the pitch drying in magnificent sunshine.”

The result sees Bangladesh advance to Thursday’s semi-final in Sri Lanka, along with table-toppers Pakistan. India and Sri Lanka have progressed from Group A.

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