File photo – Muhammad Usman top-scored with 45 as UAE defeated Scotland in their opening game of the tri-series © Peter Della Penna
A 62-run stand for the fifth wicket between Muhammad Usman and debutant Adnan Mufti helped a new-look UAE side – fielding as many as five debutants – overcome a top-order collapse and defeat Scotland by four wickets in Dubai.
The visitors put on 50 for the opening stand after electing to bat, but were pegged back thereafter by debutant legspinner Imran Haider (3-36) and left-arm spinner Ahmed Raza (2-19). The spinners took five wickets between them to reduce Scotland to 98 for 6 in the 23rd over. Richie Berrington, who had come in at No. 5, put on 28 for the seventh wicket with Safyaan Sharif and 40 for the eighth with Mark Watt en route to his eighth ODI half-century. But he could only take Scotland as far as 173 before being the last man out, falling to Zahoor Khan – who finished with 3 for 17 on his first international outing – for 50.
Josh Davey and Sharif took two wickets each to reduce UAE to 39 for 4 in their chase. But Usman hit a career-best 45 as he combined with Mufti to steer them past the 100-mark. Mufti scored an unbeaten 43, combining with Mohammad Naveed (30 off 23) and Ahmed Raza (16*) to take his team to a victory with 49 balls to spare. He was named Man Of The Match.
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo