Shaiman Anwar scored a brilliant unbeaten century as UAE secured a crucial 46-run victory over Canada in the first one-dayer of the World Cricket League at Maple Leaf North-West Ground, King City.

UAE will play the second one-dayer on August 8 and another win can put UAE in contention to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

Canada’s decision to field first yielded immediate success when Harvir Baidwan struck twice including the wicket of skipper Khurram Khan who had scored a match-saving century a couple of days ago in the Intercontinental Cup.

Abdul Shakoor who till then had scored a gritty 30 from 36 balls also succumbed leaving UAE reeling at 54 for three.

Swapnil Patil and Anwar brought things under control as the duo stitched together a crucial 68-run stand for the fourth wicket. Things were looking good for UAE with Patil scoring 43 from 66 deliveries including three boundaries before he was bowled by Daesrath.

But it only got better for UAE as Rohan Mustafa who joined Anwar completely dominated the proceedings to put UAE in a position of strength.

While Anwar went on to score 102 not out from 109 deliveries with the help of nine boundaries and three sixes, Mustafa remained unbeaten on 68 from 61 balls including five hits to the fence and two over it.

The duo added an unbroken 147-run for the fifth wicket as UAE scored a brilliant 269 for four in 50 overs.

Chasing a big total, Canada were looking good in patches but Mohammad Naveed and Nasir Aziz claimed four wickets each to ensure UAE did not lose their way.

While Naveed conceding 39 runs in his 7.5 overs, Aziz gave away only 32 from his 10 overs.

There were two half centuries recorded by Canadian batsmen Ruvindu Gunasekera (50) and Usman Limbada (58) while Jimmy Hansara chipped in with a 30 as Canada were shot out only 223 for in 46.5 overs.

The top two sides from the WCL Championship qualify directly for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, which is to be to be held in Australia and New Zealand.

With Ireland having seized the first qualification spot after a dramatic tie against the Netherlands earlier in the round, four sides – Scotland, Netherlands, Afghanistan, and UAE – are all capable of claiming the critical second position.

The bottom six teams from the WCL Championship will receive a second chance to qualify at next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand, when they lock horns with Hong Kong, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Uganda for the final two spots in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

Brief scores:

UAE bt Canada by 46 runs.

UAE 269 for 4 in 50 overs (Abdul Shakoor 30, Swapnil Patil 43, Shaiman Anwar 102 not out, Rohan Mustafa 68 not out) Canada 223 all out in 46.5 overs (Ruvindu Gunasekera 50, Usman Limbada 50, Jimmy Hansra 30; Mohammad Naved 4 for 39, Nasir Aziz 4 for 32).