Published: Feb 19, 2015, 07:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 19, 2015, 12:01 PM (IST)
United Arab Emirates (UAE) finished on a score of 285 for seven, their highest One-Day International (ODI) innings total of all time, at the end of their innings against Zimbabwe during their Pool B encounter of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at the Saxton Oval in Nelson on Thursday. Shaiman Anwar and Khurram Khan top-scored for their side with knocks of 67 and 45 respectively, while Tendai Chatara was by the far the best Zimbabwean bowler statistically, taking three wickets while conceding a mere 42 runs from the 10 overs that he bowled. Live Scorecard: Zimbabwe vs UAE
Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bowl, with skipper Elton Chigumbura announcing the decision to replace Chamu Chibhabha, who scored a valiant 64 against South Africa in Zimbabwe’s opening encounter of the World Cup, with wicket-keeper batsman Regis Chakabva. UAE were off to a slow start, accumulating a mere 34 runs in the first 10 overs while losing the wicket of Amjad Ali, who was dismissed for a score of seven off 17 deliveries. Live Updates: Zimbabwe vs UAE
Solomon Mire, considered to be one of the best picks in the Zimbabwe side in the recent years, took the second wicket of the innings with 40 runs having been scored by the UAE, when Berenger fell prey to a short-pitched delivery of his while attempting to play a pull shot. While the Zimbabweans had the early advantage with some disciplined bowling, in came the 43-year-old Khurram, one of the better batsmen in the side. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS
The duo went on to add 82 runs for the third wicket, a stand that was of great annoyance for the Zimbabweans and threatened to steal the momentum away from the African side. Khurram added a quick and valuable 45 off 55 deliveries, including six boundaries, and received support from Krishna Chandran, who scored 34 off 63 balls. It was Mire once again who acted spoilsport for UAE, removing Chandran to end the stand. Khurram was dismissed soon after, with Chatara taking his second wicket of the innings courtesy a brilliant catch by Sean Williams at point. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE
The presence of Anwar and Swapnil Patil at the crease saw the perhaps the most destructive partnership of the innings, with the duo smashing 82 runs off 69 balls to to help put UAE back on top of the game. Anwar smashed nine boundaries and a six to end up as the top-scorer and the only batsman to cross the 50-run mark. Patil, who originally hails from the state of Maharashtra in India, scored 32 off 38 deliveries to provide ideal support. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage
A couple of quick dismissals, including that of Anwar, saw Zimbabwe attempt to restrict UAE to a sub-250 total. At 232 for seven, it looked more than likely. Amjad Javed and Mohammad Naveed however, had different plans as the duo blasted their way to add 53 runs off 35 balls, with Javed and Naveed unbeaten on scores of 25 and 23 off 19 and 17 balls respectively.
UAE eclipsed their previous highest total of 282 for four, which came against Afghanistan during the recent bilateral series between the two sides in November/December last year.
Brief scores:
UAE 285 for 7 in 50 overs (Krishna Chandran 34, Khurram Khan 45, Swapnil Patil 32, Shaiman Anwar 67; Tendai Chatara 3 for 42, Solomon Mire 2 for 39) vs Zimbabwe.
