UAE cricket’s U19 World Cup hopes dashed by Malaysia

The UAE's batting slumped and Malaysia took advantage for a five-wicket victory that sees the UAE's hopes of progressing along in U19 World Cup qualification end.

UAE U19 cricketer Yodhin Punja shown during a match last year in Dubai. Sarah Dea / The National

UAE 155 all out in 46.3 overs (Fahad Nawaz 52, Sachin Jha 29 not out, Ali Mirza 29, Islah Zol 3-33) lost to Malaysia 159 for 5 in 32.5 overs (Syed Aziz 60, Virandeep Singh 44, Yodhin Punja 3-50)

The UAE’s hopes of playing in both the Under-19 World Cup and the Asia Cup were dashed after their defeat to Malaysia in the semi-finals of the ICC U19 World Cup Qualifier Asia Division 2.

Malaysia recovered from an early three-wicket blow from Yodhin Punja that left them struggling at 23 for three before easing to a five-wicket win with more than 17 overs to spare at the Kinrara Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

Malaysia meet Singapore, who defeated Hong Kong by 89 runs in the other semi-final, in Thursday’s final.

Malaysia and Singapore will join Afghanistan and Nepal in four-team final qualifying round in December in Sri Lanka from which the winner will earn a ticket for the 2018 U19 World Cup in New Zealand.

The top two teams in the four-team qualification will qualify for the U19 Asia Cup also in Sri Lanka in December.

The UAE will now play in Thursday’s play-off for third place against Hong Kong to whom they lost in the group stage.

The UAE electing to bat first lost opener Ansh Tadoon (5) at 23 in the fifth over before a 59-run stand for the second wicket between Fahad Nawaz (52) and Ali Mirza (29) took the score to 92.

Nawaz and Mirza both fell in quick succession before Jonathan Figy (1) and Monish Lakhani (2) also departed as the UAE slumped from 92 for one to 101 for five.

Sachin Jha (29 not out) and Justin D’Souza (19) helped them make a minor recovery with a 33-run partnership but the latter’s dismissal saw wickets fall in a cluster for the UAE to be bundled out for 155.

Malaysia in reply were left struggling at 24 for three before Virandeep Singh (40) and Syed Aziz (60) came together with an 87-run stand to get their team back on the chase.

Nawaz provided a glimmer of hope when he had Aziz in his very first over and then Karthik Meiyappan removed Virandeep with Malaysia still needing 21 for victory.

Zubair Zulkifle, who arrived at the crease at the fall of the fifth wicket, finished off the game in style by carting Meiyappan for six and three fours in four deliveries to see Malaysia through without further hiccups.

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