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UAE, Namibia book final spot

DUBAI — United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Namibia secured their places in the final of Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 2 on the final day of group fixtures, here on Thursday. The hosts continued their winning streak by defeating Bermuda and Namibia clinched victory against Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Uganda’s one-run loss to Papua New Guinea means the side will now be relegated out of Pepsi ICC WCL Div. 2 alongside Bermuda while promoted sides Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong have managed to maintain places in Pepsi ICC WCL Div. 2.

Hoping to make it to the finals unbeaten, home side UAE won the toss and elected to bat at the Dubai Sports City stadium. Wicket-keeper-batsman Amjad Ali got the hosts off on the right foot, top scoring for the side with 57, hitting seven boundaries along the way. He left the crease after being judged leg-before off the bowling Bermuda’s Rodney Trott.

The next six batsmen did not leave with less than 20 runs each, but none of the top-order sparkled for this side as they have done in previous matches. Saqib Ali made 42, hitting the UAE’s only 6 for the entire innings while the second-wicket partnership between Amjad and Naeem Aslam proved the most fruitful for the side with the duo adding 60 runs before Aslam departed.

Bermuda’s fielders were back on top, with Fiqre Crockwell catching both Shaiman Anwar and Amjad Javed out, while Irving Romaine took the best figures for the team with 4-37 including the key scalps of captain Khurram Khan and Saqib.

In reply, Bermuda’s attempt to chase down the target began well with Dion Stovell opening the batting with Jason Anderson, the pair knocked 35 runs off the target before Anderson departed after being adjudged leg-before off the bowling of Arshad Ali.

Stovell attempted to anchor the innings for the side but the turning point came when captain David Hemp departed for 39, leaving the Bermudians requiring a runner ball for which they never quite managed to muster. Nasir Aziz was the pick of the bowlers to help secure the UAE a home final, with 4-44 while Arshad walked away with match figures of 3-38.

Man of the match Amjad said: “It’s obviously great to go into the final undefeated and now its about beating Namibia tomorrow and taking home the title.

“I was pleased with my performance today as I’ve been batting up and down the order for this tournament when I’m normally an opening batsman, so I’d like to thank the captain and coach for backing me to open for the side. It’s the first time I’ve kept wicket this event too since Swapnil Patil was rested today and I’m very happy with my contribution of two stumpings.”

Hemp said of relegation out of Pepsi ICC WCL Div. 2: “I’m very disappointed about today’s loss and our relegation out of the tournament but ultimately we just weren’t consistent enough throughout this event to stay in the division.

“We only managed to win one game this tournament and to be out on run-rate is a little upsetting but at the same time we didn’t perform to the standards we know we’re capable of in our cricket.

“We came to Dubai early to prepare, especially as it’s off-season in Bermuda and I honestly felt we were prepared for the tournament but we need to take responsibility for our poor performances here and go back and work on things in Bermuda ahead of the regional qualifiers for the World Twenty20 as well as ahead of the next World Cricket League competition we will participate in.”

Tomorrow will see UAE face Namibia in the final at Dubai Sports City Stadium, Papua New Guinea will take on Hong Kong for third/fourth position at GCA 1 while Uganda will play Bermuda for fifth/sixth position at GCA 2.