Rameez Shahzad showed just what the UAE have been missing for past eight years after scoring a half-century against Scotland on Tuesday.
The Intercontinental Cup match in Ayr is his first appearance for the national team since 2008, after he went abroad and was then ruled ineligible to play until he had been resident in the UAE again for four years.
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He is clearly intent on making up for lost time. After arriving at the crease with the national team precariously placed on 66 for 4, he shared a stand worth 123 with Shaiman Anwar.
Shaiman fell for 78 just before the close, but Rameez was undefeated on 66 at the end of Day 1 of the four day match.
The match had started over three hours late after heavy morning rain had left parts of the field unplayable.
The UAE’s top order then struggled against the new ball, before Rameez and Shaiman repaired the damage.
pradley@thenational.ae
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