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28 March 2024

UAE U-19 girls finish a creditable fourth in Asian Championships

Mazhar Khan of Emirates Cricket Board receiving the UAE Under-19 girls team when they return from the Singapore event. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Staff
The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) lauded the UAE team which finished a creditable fourth in the Asian Under-19 Women’s Championship held in Singapore.
They were accorded a warm welcome on their return by ECB Administrator and other senior officials after making history of sorts by entering the semifinals of the competition for the first time.
“Despite lacking in experience, they performed admirably and we are proud of their achievement,” said Mazhar.
During the championship organised by the Asian Cricket Council, UAE won four of their five matches in the league stage before losing in the the semifinals to favourites Nepal.
The margin of the defeat notwithstanding, the UAE team can hold their heads high as they performed admirably during the premier event.
Nepal scored an imposing 156 for three in the allotted 25 overs with Nary Thapa (66 off 59 balls with nine fours and one six) leading a stunning batting charge.
Petule Nadar and Humaira Tasneem took one wicket each.
The UAE team, in reply, could manage only 75 for seven with Dipanki (23) and Aashna Khemani (21 not out) being the main scorers.
Riding on superb spells of bowling by Samiya and Shambhavi Gupta, UAE defeated Thailand by five wickets to make the last four grade of the championship.
UAE team finished in second place with six points from four matches, just two points behind leaders Bhutan in Group B.
They restricted Thailand to 73 for eight in the allotted 25 overs with Samiya and Shambhavi doing most of the damage by taking three wickets each.
Samiya conceded just eight in her three overs while Shambhavi gave away only 10 in her five-over spell. Monique D’Souza and Sneha Sankar also kept up the pressure on a struggling Thailand side with a wicket each.
UAE were given a solid start during their run chase with Aashna Khemani (15 off 16 balls with one four and one six) and Sneha Sankar (11 off 16 balls) putting on a 28-run stand in just 27 balls.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals after the exit of the openers, Spoorthy Prakash steered them safely home in the 17th over.
In the group stages, UAE staged a tremendous fight-back after an early loss to Bhutan when they defeated China by three wickets.
With Sneha Sankar snaring two wickets for just five runs and Hamaira Tasneem and Petule picking one wicket each, the UAE produced an inspired bowling performance to restrict China for a modest 84 for seven in the allotted 25 overs.
China, fast emerging as a future power in the game, had built their innings around Miao Zau, who top-scored with a fine 33.
The UAE team, in reply, achieved the victory target with 11 balls to spare.
Monique D’Souza (16) and Shambhavi Gupta (13) batted well to see off the China attack while Aashna Khemani (seven) and Sneha (6) also contributed to the total.
UAE lost their opening match to Bhutan by four wickets, but not before putting up a brave fight. With Aashna (12) and Monique (13) combining well, UAE scored 73 before being all out in the 16th over.
In reply, Bhutan were made to work hard for their victory by the UAE bowlers.
Humaira, Malintha and Monique were the successful bowlers for the UAE team.