Khurram Khan, the UAE captain, is looking for a strong finish to their campaign in the Asian Cricket Council Premier League as the trophy heads into the final round of games with a three-way tie between Afghanistan, Nepal and Oman at the top of the table.
The UAE can still claim the runners-up spot following Monday’s comprehensive five-wicket win over Malaysia at the Kinrara Oval.
“We want to go out on a high. That’s the least we can do after losing the first two games,” Khurram said after the UAE’s second victory of the tournament.
“We are aware how important this result [in the last match against Oman] is for the other teams [Afghanistan and Nepal] but our focus, as always, will be to win.
“Every game and every result is important for us.
“The UAE is a team with one-day international status and it is important for us to finish as high as possible in this six-team league.
“We have a good chance to finish second if we can win against Oman because either Afghanistan or Nepal may end up with two defeats like us.”
The UAE saw off Malaysia with almost half their 50 overs left after bowling out the hosts for 158.
Amjad Ali, the opener who has been in fine form in the competition, set the platform for the chase with a 49-ball 43, and Shaiman Anwar, finished off in style, smashing 53 off 33, highlighted by five fours and three sixes.
The UAE elected to field and were always on top after medium pacer Mohammad Naveed’s double strike in the seventh over put Malaysia on the back foot after they had begun well with a 39-run opening partnership.
They slipped to 74 for five before a 54-run partnership from Suharril Fetri (37) and Hammadullah Khan (32) took them to 128.
Then Fayyaz Ahmed’s three for 12 from 4.4 overs saw five wickets tumble for 30 runs.
“We had to pay a heavy price for losing the first two games [to Nepal and Afghanistan]. We have done pretty well to come back from those results,” Khurram said.
“Amjad has batted consistently well for us and today Shaiman was back to his old self with a typically aggressive knock. The bowlers did another great job for a second successive day.
“We may have not won the tournament but we can still return with a lot of positives on our build-up for the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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