Anwar ton powers UAE to win over Nepal

UAE powered by a scintillating century from Shaiman Anwar trounced Nepal by 102 runs in their opening Group A clash of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament at Mainpower Oval in Rangiora, New Zealand on Monday.

Anwar scored a 96-ball 109 to help top-ranked UAE post 297 for eight in 50 overs after being put into bat.

Nepal were bowled out for 195 in 48.1 overs.

Anwar smashed eight boundaries and equal number of sixes, sharing in a 145-run fourth-wicket stand with Swapnil Patil (74) which helped UAE posted a formidable total.

UAE suffered an early hiccup in the first over, losing in-form opener Amjad Ali for a duck run out.

Khurram Khan and Salman Faris rebuilt the innings before Jitendra Mukhiya struck in the eighth over to dismiss Khurram for 21.

Faris fell prey to Shakti Gauchan nine overs later, caught by Anil Mandal for 35.

Anwar and Patil came together with UAE precariously placed at 81 for 3 in the 17th over.

The duo batted responsibly, adding 145 off 134 deliveries to take their side to 226 before Anwar was trapped leg before in the 40th over.

Patil continued the momentum making 74 off 78 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes.

Nepal’s chase was rattled by early blows from medium pacer Mohammad Naveed, who removed openers Mandal (0) and Mahesh Chhetri (9) inside the first six overs.

Sagar Pun and captain Paras Khadka failed to repair the damage as Amjad Javed and Kamran Shahzad bagged four wickets between them to leave Nepal tottering at 102 for 6 in 26.3 overs.

Sharad Vasawkar was the only batsman to offer any resistance, scoring 54 off 87 deliveries, while Gauchan remained unbeaten on 37.

Shahzad ended with figures of three for 46 while Guruge, Javed and Khurram picked up two wickets each.

UAE will play Canada in its next Group A match in Rangiora on Wednesday while Nepal takes on Scotland in the eighth match of the tournament in Queenstown on Thursday.

Brief scores:

UAE 297 for 8 in 50 overs (Shaiman Anwar 109, Swapnil Patil 74, Salman Faris 35; Basant Regmi 3-43, Jitendra Mukhiya 2-58)

Nepal 195 all out, 48.1 overs (Sharad Vesawkar 54, Shakti Gauchan 37 not out, Binod Bhandari 37; Kamran Shazad 3-46, Khurram Khan 2-19, Manjula Guruge 2-25, Amjad Javed 2-44)

Result: UAE won by 102 runs

Man of the Match: Shaiman Anwar (UAE)

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.