MATCH 25: Pakistan produced a brilliant performance with the bat to beat UAE by 129 runs and put themselves firmly back in the race for a quarter-finals berth.
Our CWC 2015 coverage is brought to you in association with Honey Badger Cricket – look no further for a top quality cricket bat!
They passed 300 for the first time in the tournament as Ahmed Shehzad (main photo), Haris Sohail, Misbah-ul-Haq all passed fifty.
“That was a much needed win for us,” said Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq. “We won by a margin so we can relax now, the next game is really important and we need to focus on that. We have a good net run rate now also.”
Misbah will be delighted that his team’s net run-rate as changed from -1.373 to -0.385. It could prove crucial in deciding whether Pakistan progress in the competition.
Save for Nasir Jamshed, every batsman made runs, pushing 339 for six after Mohammad Tauqir had won the toss for the UAE under cloudy skies.
Shehzad was dropped twice by the time he had reached 11 and made the UAE regret the missed chances. Jamshed was out cheaply and the UAE bowlers kept their discipline to contain the Pakistani batters, but ultimately a partnership of 160 for the second wicket ensued.
Sohail, when on 70, failed to clear mid-on and then Shehzad, on 93, attempted a suicidal second and was run out.
Pakistan are rapidly gaining momentum in this Cricket World Cup
Sohaib Maqsood took over and flicked Manjula Guruge over backward square and then over midwicket for sixes as he raced to 45 from 31 balls. He was well caught by Rohan Mustafa at point just as it looked he would do some real damage.
Misbah clobbered two sixes and four fours in a 49-ball 65 to ensure Pakistan secured its second-highest total in a World Cup match, after the 349 against Zimbabwe in Kingston in 2007.
In reply, the UAE lost early wickets and never looked like mounting a serious challenge. Amjad Ali, Berenger and Krishna Chandran Karate all fell with the first 10 overs.
Khurram made 43 and Shaiman Anwar made a fine 62 to take the lead in the run stakes for the tournament.
“340 was a big total for us, but we batted 50 overs and we are happy with this effort,” said Tauqir, the UAE skipper. “Anwar is very confident and in great form.
“We wanted to but on some decent performances, going forward we want to do well.”
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
Latest posts by James Buttler (see all)
- #UAE15: Bon voyage Derbyshire as Champions Yorkshire land in Abu Dhabi - March 13, 2015
- Sussex sign Mahela Jayawardene for NatWest T20 Blast - March 13, 2015
- #CWC15: Shami books India into World Cup quarter after West Indies win - March 6, 2015
