United Arab Emirates (UAE) has secured ninth place in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023. They defeated the USA by a narrow one-run in a thrilling encounter at Takashinga Sports Club.
This was UAE’s first win of the tournament. Meanwhile, the USA will go home without a single win in the tournament. The USA finished winless in Group A, whilst UAE could not find any victory in Group B. They were defeated by Ireland and Nepal, respectively, in the seventh-place playoff match.
Choosing to bat first, UAE piled up a huge total of 308/4 in the allotted 50 overs after a blistering daddy hundred from Asif Khan. Opener Khan remained unbeaten till the end smacking 145-ball 151 runs with 12 fours and six sixes. Another opener, Aryansh Sharma and Basil Hameed, also contributed 57 and 44 runs, respectively.
In response, the USA fall short by just one rone finishing the 50 overs on 307/9. Two runs were required from the final ball with Ali Khan on strike, but Sanchit Sharma dismissed him to win it for UAE. Three batters scored a half-century for the USA. Aaron Jones top scored with 75 whereas Gajanand Singh and Monank Patel added 69 and 61 runs, respectively.
Sanchit Sharma was a pick of a bowler for UAE grabbing three wickets. Junaid Siddique and Ali Naseer also pocketed two wickets each.
