Pakistan A 164 (41.3 ov)
UAE 168-4 (37.5 ov)
Toss UAE, chose to field
Pakistan A Jamshed 78; Shahzad 2-19, Karate 2-34
UAE Berenger 77 not out, Amjad 28; Hasan 3-21
Man of the match Andri Berenger (UAE)
DUBAI // While Test cricket’s elite were grinding out a day of attrition on the other side of Dubai Sports City, the UAE enjoyed their finest day yet as they continue to build towards next year’s World Cup.
The national team beat a Pakistan A side that had retained many of the players who beat Australia’s full Test side by 153 runs in Sharjah last week.
They did it convincingly, too, with Krishna Karate, the new all-rounder, underlining their dominance with a straight six to settle a six-wicket win at the ICC Academy.
The majority of the Pakistan A side have played one-day internationals, with the likes of Sohaib Maqsood and Nasir Jamshed being proven match-winners for the national team in the past.
Yet the UAE were cruising from the moment Kamran Shahzad knocked over both the openers early on.
After Pakistan’s A side were shot out for 164, the home side eased to victory on the back of a sparkling 77 not out by Andri Berenger.
It is certain the national team will face tougher tests in this five-game series when the sides meet again on Thursday at Sports City.
But there is no denying the national team are a massive upgrade on their former selves judging by this performance.
While their batsmen were nonchalantly hooking and pulling some of Pakistan’s fastest bowlers, they were watched by a variety of specialist coaches, including a team psychologist.
Given that UAE are supposed to be the only amateur side heading to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year, their opposition could be in for a surprise.
“They [Pakistan A] are an experienced side, with nine players with national team experience, so we did quite well,” said Berenger, the UAE-born and raised opener.
“We have been working hard for six months and the good thing is we are putting the effort in on the field so it is going well.
“We had a tour to Australia before this, where the tracks and the bowlers are really fast, so we have got used to it.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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