The UAE put up an impressive show in their second two-day match against Pakistan A at the Dubai Cricket Council ground yesterday.
Batting first, the UAE made 227 through Asim Saeed's heroic 45. Syed Maqsood (29), Fahad Usman (28) and Ali Asad (26) contributed to the UAE's innings which lasted 66 overs.
Asim Saeed was struck just below his eye by a bouncer from Pakistani pacer Abdul Rauf in the very first over. However, Saeed, despite the painful blow, settled down to play some lovely shots. Arshad Ali, once again began well, but played into the hands of Butt at short leg off Najaf Hussain for eight.
Maqsood, who bagged a pair in the first two-day matches, began cautiously.
He gave good support to Saeed and the pair put on 64 for the second wicket. At the score on 80, Saeed fell to a bouncer from Naveed Ul Hassan by hanging his bat and offering an easy return catch (45, 71b, 7x4). By lunch the UAE were 93 for two with skipper Khurram Khan and Maqsood at the crease.
At 107, Khurram misread Shoaib Malik and was caught by Danish Kaneria at first slip for 18.
Maqsood, too, followed, bowled by Naveed, who despite having problems with his run up and bowled several no balls, generated tremendous pace. He also trapped Mehmood Pir Baksh for six.
Fahad Usman, who executed some lovely ground shots, saw the UAE past the 150-run mark, but four runs later played Najaf into the hands of Malik at covers. Najaf struck again to bowl Naeemudin and the UAE slipped to 155 for seven, losing five wickets for the addition of just 47 runs.
Manik de Silva and Ali Asad checked the collapse. Six-foot tall Asad, used his height to smother the spin and at times hit the ball hard. He lifted Malik over mid-wicket for a six and straight drove him for another four.
Asad again lifted Malik's fifth ball of his next over for another six over widish long-on and cracked another four too. The UAE reached the 200-run mark and Asad cracked Junaid Zia straight to Naveed at deep point for 26. Two runs later Manik, too, offered an easy catch to Salman at second slip off Rauf.
Last pair Mohammed Nadeem and Ausaf Ali added 25 runs with Nadeem playing fully utilising some overpitched balls from Rauf. Naveed, who bowled 10 out of the 18 no balls bowled by Pakistan bowlers, picked his fourth wicket forcing Ali edge to wicket keeper Atiq for eight.
Pakistan lost an early wicket when Saeed forced Salman Butt to mistime a pull into the hands of wicket keeper Nadeem for two.
One-drop Saeed bin Nasir and Shadab Kabir added 63 runs before Saeed struck again to have Nasir caught by Fahan at second slip for 33 and thus end a good day of cricket for UAE team.
Scoreboard:
UAE 1st innings: Asim Saeed c & b Naveed 45, Arshad Ali c Butt by Najaf 8, Syed Maqsood b Naveed 29, Khurram Khan c Danish b Malik 14, Fahad Usman c Malik by Najaf 28, Mehmood Pir Baksh lbw Naveed 6, Naeemudin b Najaf 5, Manik De Silva c Salman b A. Rauf 16, Ali Asad c Naveed b Junaid 26, M. Nadeem not out 16, Ausaf Ali c Atiq by Naveed 8. Extras 26 (3w, 4b, 1lb, 18nb). Total 227 in 66 overs.
Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-80, 3-107, 4-125, 5-135, 6-154, 7-155, 8-200, 9-202.Bowling: A. Rauf 9-2-49-1, Najaf 8-2-22-3, Naveed Ul Hassan 12-0-59-4, Junaid 9-3-14-1, Danish 11-1-22-0. Shoaib Malik 17-3-56-1.Pakistan 1st innings: Shadab not out 41, Salman c M. Nadeem b A. Saeed 2, Saeed bin Nasir c Fahad b A. Saeed 33, Farhan Adil not out 1. Extras 2 (1b, 1nb). Total 79 for 2 in 22 overs.Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-75.Bowling: Ali Asad 8-1-26-0, Asim Saeed 11-1-37-2, Syed Maqsood 3-0-15-0.
Gulf News 2003
