The UAE enjoyed a substantial boost as they count down to next year’s World Cup after Saqib Ali announced his return to form in the win over Papua New Guinea on Thursday.
The Abu Dhabi-based batsman has been a pillar of the national team’s batting line up for the past decade.
However, his contribution to the cause in recent years has been inhibited by chronic back problems.
Before the current tour of western Australia, he had been out of the squad for nearly a year.
Even then, he had only been back for a couple of months after a further year out following surgery on his back.
If the UAE are to be competitive at the World Cup in six months time, the 36-year-old batsman will need to play a full part.
As such, his return to form in the seven-wicket win over PNG in Darwin was the most positive news to emerge from the tour so far.
Saqib, who captained the UAE the last time they played against major Test opposition, at the 2008 Asia Cup in his native Pakistan, made an undefeated 73.
In truth, the national team cantered to their win over a PNG side who also enjoy full one-day international status and play regular cricket in Australia.
The win, which was the UAE’s second in two days since flying north from Perth, was earned as the national team chased 268 for the loss of just three wickets.
Saqib top scored, while Amjad Ali (51) and Swapnil Patil (72 not out) also made half-centuries.
So easy was it for the UAE, their two most reliable batsmen, Khurram Khan and Shaiman Anwar did not even have to take to the crease.
In a further boost to the national team, Nasir Aziz took three wickets in a parsimonious 10-over stint with the ball.
Nasir is also making a return to the side, having been ruled out of the game earlier this years while his suspect bowling action was analysed.
He is now prohibited from bowling the doosra which brought him so much success in the past, but he is confident he can thrive having developed two new variations in the meantime.
pradley@thenational.ae
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