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UAE FIRST TO ENTER SEMI-FINALS

UAE maintained their 100% winning streak after they beat Hong Kong by 20 runs confirming their place in the semi-finals.

Saqib Ali (green helmet) wasn't happy with his dismissal

Playing on the quicker of the two tracks at the KEC ground, Hong Kong won the toss and put UAE in to bat. Afzaal Haider (0-28) started in the same vein as he did in yesterday's game with three extras being bowled in the very first over. His third over saw 15 runs come off it. In comparison, Butt Hussain (2-9), bowling from the other end, dismissed two batsmen in his opening three overs; Arshad Ali (1) and the prized wicket of UAE Captain Saqib Ali (4). Saqib Ali delayed his departure from the field and tried pleading his case out with the umpire stating that his bat made no contact, but to no avail.

Lama is praised for his efforts

Zain Abbas' (2-16) first over saw four extras come without a ball being bowled. There was really no need to go for any big shots at that point but Prashant Braggs (16) went for one anyways. The ball looked like it was about to land in between two fielders when Sher Lama came flying in. Lama, fully horizontal, dived forward to take one of the best catches, if not the best, of the tournament so far to leave UAE at 67-3 after 13 overs.

UAE's run rate constantly hovered around six an over but their wickets fell much too close to one another and soon the run rate dropped. Opener Amjad Javed (43) lasted fifteen overs and was right to start going for the big shots in the sixteenth over when he was caught by Hong Kong Captain Tabarak Dar. UAE's last five wickets fell for just twenty runs as they finished on 105-9 after their 20 overs.

Hong Kong were in no rush to reach their target and after the dismissal of Zain Abbas (7) in the fourth over, Tabarak Dar (36) and Butt Hussain (9) put on a much too slow 37–run partnership. Three quick wickets later and with 39 runs needed off 24 balls, Hong Kong were now in a tight situation thanks to their casual scoring at the start.

Ahmed Raza picking up his third wicket of the day

An eighteenth over double-wicket maiden from Ahmed Raza (3-17) and the pressure only increased on the batsmen. With 33 runs needed to win of the last over, Hong Kong fell short of the target by 20 runs.

Man of the Match Shadeep Silva

Shadeep Silva's 2 for 14 with one run out and 8 runs contributed whilst batting was enough for him to take home the Man of the Match award.

Hong Kong v UAE at KEC
UAE WON BY 20 RUNS
Hong Kong won the toss and elected to field
UAE: 105 for 9 in 20 overs (A. Javed 43; N. Amar 3-36)
Hong Kong: 85 for 9 in 20 overs (T. Dar 36; A. Raza 3-17)
Man of the Match: Shadeep Silva (UAE)

Scorecard

Filed October 30 2007