The UAE face Papua New Guinea in Darwin today with spirits lifted after claiming a first win on their tour of Australia yesterday.
The national team are in the west of Australia as they try to acclimatise to the environment they will face at next year’s World Cup.
They will play the defending champions India in Perth in February and this tour is the first time they have been exposed to the sort of playing conditions they will face next year.
Having lost their opening two matches in Perth, the national team moved north to Darwin where they faced a Northern Territory XI. The tourists achieved a morale-lifting four-wicket win, after having bowled the home side out for 202.
The UAE’s two fastest bowlers, Kamran Shahzad (3-24) and Mohammed Naveed (3-35), did most of the damage with the ball as the hosts were shot out with five of their allotted overs remaining.
Khurram Khan, the captain, had said after the losses in Perth that his batsmen needed to improve on working together in partnerships.
Typically, the side’s most experienced player led by example and shared a decisive 83-run alliance with Amjad Ali for the second wicket in the run chase.
Khurram made a run-a-ball 51, while Amjad – one of four wicketkeepers in the UAE batting line-up – top scored with 69.
The UAE were grateful to have the experience of Saqib Ali and Shaiman Anwar low down the order as they eventually stuttered over the winning line.
After a series of matches against state players of varying distinction, the tourists face international opposition for the first time today.
They play PNG, who earned full one-day international status after their exploits at the World Cup qualifier in New Zealand earlier this year.
The UAE were runners up in that competition, to earn a place at next year’s showpiece, and thrashed PNG by 150 runs in the process.
pradley@thenational.ae
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