UAE poised for a spot in semi-finals

The UAE will meet Thailand today knowing victory will move them into the semi-finals of the ACC Under 19 Women's Championships for the first time.

Coached by Mohammed Haider and Shamsa Hashmi, the team - made up of girls of Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan heritage and raised in the Emirates - will go into the 25-over a side with their confidence high after victories over China, Malaysia and Oman.

But they know they will be have to be at their best to beat Thailand. A likely semi-final against Nepal, the favourites, on Monday would pose an even tougher cricket test. Reaching the last four would represent a major turnaround for the team after they lost their opening game to Bhutan. They have followed up that shock four-wicket reverse with three successive wins and are perfectly placed to qualify from Group B in the 10-team tournament.

The final is on Tuesday. Spearheaded by a good all-round performance by Sneha Sankar, who was named player of the match, the UAE team followed up the three-wicket win over China with a comfortable victory over Malaysia. Sankar, opening the innings with Dipanki Borcar, scored a fine 22 out of the team's total of 107 before they were all out on the last ball over the 25th over. She then claimed two wickets for 14 runs to set up a 36-run victory.

Sankar was again in the runs in the 25-run victory over Oman. She and Borcar were the joint top scorers with 26 runs as the UAE made 105 all out in 24 overs. Their opponents faltered badly in their reply, with Petule Nadar and Samiya Saleem taking two wickets each to limit Oman to 80 for nine. Oman's Arzoo Sattikar was named player of the match for scoring 30 runs for the losing side.

* Agency